Regular viewers of our webcam will have noticed the osprey nest has frequently been empty since Sunday morning. PH1, the younger osprey chick, fledged the nest 07:16am.

 

 

PH2 and PH1 have both been very active since they fledged, frequently flying across the Loch and the woodlands near the nest. They have taken to perching in a birch tree across from the Loch (a favourite spot of LM12) allowing for some great views from the hides.

 

 

The osprey season seems to have gone by very quickly – it is strange to think that the juveniles are only 8 weeks old. Now that they are both flying, it may be just another 3 weeks or so before their mother (LF15) leaves for her migration. The young ospreys will leave for migration at around 11 or 12 weeks old, finally followed by their father (LM12) once his last chick has gone.

 

In other news, the great crested grebes have managed to hatch a chick! It hasn’t been spotted out on the water yet but it has been seen on the nest. There has also been a mandarin duck in his eclipse plumage (duller plumage as flight feathers are moulting) and many sightings of roe deer at the feeding station.

 

 

– Jane Hamilton, Assistant Ranger