Photos from Friends of Threave Osprey's post

Saturday morning. Sorry these are out of sequence. On a cool and very windy autumn morning I thought I might have a job finding an osprey to show to visitors. The wind was gusting so strongly that it nearly blew the tripod over, but despite the conditions we were treated to almost continuous views of two juveniles, followed by a really good sighting of Black 80, who spent a long time in the dead tree to the left of the platform. At this late stage in the season his plumage is looking very worn. We need to make the most of these last few sightings before he and his remaining offspring depart for rather more pleasant climes. After a cold morning on the platform West Africa felt like quite an attractive proposition!On a cool and very windy autumn morning I thought I might have a job finding an osprey to show to visitors. The wind was gusting so strongly that it nearly blew the tripod over, but despite the conditions we were treated to almost continuous views of two juveniles, followed by a really good sighting of Black 80, who spent a long time in the dead tree to the left of the platform. At this late stage in the season his plumage is looking very worn. We need to make the most of these last few sightings before he and his remaining offspring depart for rather more pleasant climes. After a cold morning on the platform West Africa felt like quite an attractive proposition! Photos from left to right NK4, NK3, NK3, Black 80 (left) and NK3. All male.

Photos from Friends of Threave Osprey's post

Monday afternoon. A wet and windy afternoon. When we took over from Don, there was one osprey sitting beside the nest. Don had had quite a busy time in the morning, and had seen two Ospreys together periodically although he wasn't convinced they were always the same two and they moved from nest area to dead tree (towards landing stage). The weather dropped all afternoon and obviously scared off the visitors as we had very few venturing down to see us. There was usually one osprey in view either in the nest area or on the dead tree, with two on the dead tree for some time. At first we thought one of them had a fish, but as it then started crying, and both were looking in the same direction, we wondered if Black 80 was fishing nearby. Then chaos at the nest as Black 80 bought in a fish and a tussle ensued. Black 80 flew off leaving the two youngsters fighting over what he had left them. Eventually one flew off presumably with the best bit, as the one left behind, although obviously eating, began crying out as well. As the weather was steadily deteriorating we beat an early retreat. Photos not very good as the camera kept trying to focus on the rain, and I missed the three on the nest together as I was still focused on the dead tree. Paul and Lyn

Monday morning. At least 2 Ospreys around most of my shift. I say 2 because I sometimes could not be absolutely sure whether I was seeing 2 out of 2 or 2 out of 3. Weather poor and visibility at times a problem. Think the birds will be around for a few days yet so hopefully some more volunteer colleagues will get the opportunity to enjoy them.

Photos from Friends of Threave Osprey's post

Black 80 and the 2 boys still at Threave today in the rain and wind. No sign of the youngsters fishing. Still relying on deliveries from Dad.

Photos from Friends of Threave Osprey's post

Here come the boys. Black 80 and both male juveniles were around on Saturday morning. Lots of flying and sitting on the nest and the dead tree opposite the platform (Black 80). The girls have gone so fingers crossed for them on their migration.

Photos from Friends of Threave Osprey's post

Photos from Castle Hide Friday afternoon. Young osprey sitting in the rain.

Friday update We still have the 2 male juveniles being fed by Black 80. He brought in a fish this morning. Nothing brought in this afternoon and no fishing attempts. Youngest male crying on the nest then heading to the dead tree to sit. Rain pouring down. Osprey volunteer just left the hide. I'm waiting, hopefully, for a gap before heading back Volunteers will continue on the platform or in Castle Hide for the next week or until the birds have flown. I'll keep you updated so that you don't make a wasted visit.

It was a late August day that had a mind to be in September, the grey clouds wrapping themselves around the hills and the mild breeze gradually strengthening. The path through the woods was a carpet of copper and gold coins from the fallen birch leaves and a fern had its green fronds turning deep crimson. A buck roe has been marking some of the willow stems, revealing the bright white wood beneath the fraying bark. Bright red haw berries shone from the hedgerows, yellow vetchling was a patch of sun in the grass, a late honeysuckle bloomed amongst an elder with berries and a rose had amazingly huge hips perhaps swollen by the recent rains. The river was running high from these rains and the island was a golden glow of waving grasses. There was a young osprey sat on the nest and then on the stubby perch at its side, head held low head to wind. It chased a kite around, marking its territory just as its father had done in weeks gone by. After a while it may have found this nest site, once so sunny was now rather a windswept location as it flew to the large dead tree. There it perched on the lowest branch which was just visible from the path, slightly through the waving ash stems of the shrubbery below the tree. It gave a very good impression of planning to fish, a sort of 'I can do this really, there are fish down there, I know, where I am looking..... but maybe I will not try just yet'. It carried on looking from side to side and calling - and not fishing. After one trip back to the nest it returned to the very top of the dead tree, a good place to survey the scene - and perhaps to look for the male and a meal, all to no avail. The wind was stronger and ruffling the surface of the river which would have made seeing a fish difficult for the youngster and the adult would need to know which sites were sheltered for fishing. Neither have migrated yet although it could be any day..... Meanwhile the kingfisher flew down river and up again, easily spotted by its straight flight barely a few inches above the surface of the water and only a dazzling blue when caught by the light. A flight of small ducks went towards the marsh, possible early arrivals at this turn of the seasons. Dipper

Really enjoyed this Wednesday afternoon on the platform. Both young males were around for most of the morning but only one for the afternoon session. He perched in view for almost all of the afternoon. Keeping me on my toes to keep finding his perches. At 5 o'clock Black 80 arrived with a flounder which he dropped into the nest so there were 3 birds around briefly. The older male promptly snatched the fish and flew off to the dead tree opposite the platform leaving the younger bird calling loudly on the nest in frustration. No sightings of either female since Saturday afternoon so assume they have flown. The youngest male was seen catching a fish yesterday so they are all catching now although neither male made any visible attempts today with Black 80 supplying both fish brought in. We plan to continue on the platform throughout next week unless there are no ospreys around. Photo taken through the telescope this afternoon.

Tuesday afternoon After a quiet morning with no ospreys on view, 2 came in to the nest. Both young males. They didn't stay long but moved to perch on some trees further from the platform and not visible from it. Moving to the right along the path gave good views. The grass is really turning yellow now and the hawthorn berries and brambles are abundant. Very autumny feel. The volunteers have agreed to continue through next week as long as there are ospreys to see but I don't think they will be here much longer.

Photos from Friends of Threave Osprey's post

Monday report We arrived to find Don a bit tired after entertaining over 100 visitors in the morning. He had had a couple of Ospreys in the nest area all morning, one obviously enjoying a fish, although he hadn't seen a delivery. Our afternoon was steady with visitors (castle closed), the majority very interested and full of questions. The two young Ospreys we saw moved around from nest area to the dead tree towards jetty. Sometimes we only had one in either area, and we couldn't tell if it was the same two. Towards the end of the shift a fish delivery led to the larger chick mantling over it whilst the other looked on and begged. A kingfisher shot down river; the swallows are gathering on the wires near the Keeper's cottage, and there is a peregrine(?) kill in the field shortly after the path divide. Light was very flat, so pictures not very high quality. Lyn and Paul

Photos from Friends of Threave Osprey's post

Some roe deer on Saturday. Notice how yellow the grass is looking. Autumn is definitely on the way.