After a few weeks of seeing no evidence of the Osprey, I found her sitting on the nest again yesterday.
The last time I went, I was standing quietly minding my own business, watching for something in the sky or on the nest, and listening for the familiar call of the bird, when I was aware of a big estate vehicle reversing on the road. A guy got out and I thought 'Oh oh, he's coming to speak to me, and he doesn't look happy'. I wasn't wrong. He was coming to tell me to move on, that I was disturbing the nest by being there. I can assure you that I wasn't disturbing it as much as his vehicle, abandoned with engine running, on the main road, and his loud voice ... Anyway, I explained that I only came for a short period of time, that I was very discreet about the whereabouts of the nest, and that I just dropped by weekly on my way home from visiting my dad in Braemar. THAT was the magic key. :-) He asked who my dad was. I told him - turns out he knows him well and suddenly everything in his demeanour changed. He became friendly. He explained that he was trying to discourage too many people hanging out at the spot (at which point I did tell him that I'd only once ever seen someone there), and then he shared some Osprey information with me.
This Osprey couple have been nesting here for only 2 years. They took over a former buzzard's nest, after their previous tree fell into the river following the floods 4 years ago. He also told me that they have scoped the nest from a point way higher on the hill, and they know that there is at least one hatched chick in there. He also told me it is a deep cup nest, so it will be a while before the chick/s are able to be seen from my viewpoint.
So, we ended up the best of friends, and it's ok for me to drop by whenever I like, as long as I'm quiet, and discreet. Oh, and I have to call him 'Hilly'! Dad found the story very amusing. He says Hilly is a very fine chap!
I was rewarded when I stopped in by yesterday, as Mamma Osprey was sitting there, proud as punch. I took this photo from a tiny gap in the trees on my way up - so it's a slightly different angle from my previous shots.
Great to see this shot. When I last visited my mum she took me to Loch of the Lowe’s to see the Osprey’s nesting. Looks like you got closer. Funny background story
Well they always say it’s not what you know but who you know! Proved right! It doesn’t surprise me at all......you are a local so know how to behave! Good to get the extra info too so a good outcome! Lots more to look forward to re babies to watch in a while!
Great shot and story. Glad everything ended well.