Chicks die in Loch Garten tragedy
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Three chicks being raised by a famous female osprey in the Cairngorms have all "heartbreakingly" died, RSPB Scotland confirmed today (Monday, May 22).
EJ has weathered a snow storm and harassment from rival ospreys while incubating her clutch of three eggs at Loch Garten. All hatched over the past few days.
The RSPB suspects mate Odin, who was bringing fish to the chicks, was frightened off by another male.
Today EJ was filmed on webcam at the nest with a fish to build her strength up and a new male was seen bringing sticks to nest build and bond with her.
There was no sign of Odin.
Jess Tomes, site manager at the reserve, said sadly all three chicks had died.
"I have cried loads over this but I know absolutely that non-intervention was the right thing," she said.
"It is heartbreaking, but we have hundreds of messages of support from people.
"The arguments against intervention are so complex - including ethical arguments - but I know non intervention was the right thing. Absolutely, totally. Nature has to take its course.
"We don’t know where Odin’s gone. EJ has been back at the nest with a fish to build her strength back up. A new male has appeared and is nest building with sticks.
"It is the first signs of courtship and builds our hopes for next year, It is too late for more eggs this year."
At the weekend, RSPB Scotland said it had decided not to intervene in what it described "heart breaking" but natural process playing out at its reserve.
EJ, who is 20 years old this year, has been visiting Loch Garten for 15 years and has reared 25 chicks over that time with mate Odin and other males.
The nest is in a tree on an RSPB Scotland reserve.
EJ and her long-term mate Odin are the most successful breeding pair at the Loch Garten site. The chicks represented the reserve’s only brood this year.
Over previous seasons, 17 of the pair’s chicks have fledged.
Ospreys migrate 3000 miles from west Africa to Scotland to breed and can be seen hunting for fish from rivers and lochs.
EJ’s breeding seasons have been fraught with drama in the past.
Incidents have included eggs being kicked out of the nest by a male bird and battles between EJs and rival females over the nest.
