Our resident osprey pair have been doing sterling duty on the nest the last few days, with the male in particular bringing in and adding many more sticks, and much fresh moss to line the nest. Both birds have also been doing their rather comical ' sit and scrape' excavation technique to ensure the nest is adequately cup shaped to protect and insulate the eggs. Luckily we have a higher camera angle this year so we hope we will none the less get a clear view of the eggs when they are laid.
On average our female seems to lay eggs about 10 days after her first mating - which would make today or tomorrow the earliest we could expect an egg. So, fingers very firmly crossed we may get a wonderful Easter present of Osprey eggs over the weekend! We hope she will then lay at least two over the next several days.
There has almost always been one of the birds in continuous residence now- probably as they are bound and determined not to loose the newly renovated nest to an intruder, and perhaps also because the female is close to laying. Interestingly both birds have been seen eating on the nest lately- another good sign that family life isn't far off.
Stay tuned for Osprey Easter Egg news!
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