Regular osprey mum returns to Loch Garten

30/03/2010 14:17:49 EJ returns to Loch Garten
March 2010. A familiar face has returned to Loch Garten much to the delight of RSPB Scotland staff. EJ, the female osprey, arrived back for her 8th year in the Cairngorms.

Recognised by the letters on her identifying leg ring, EJ touched down on Friday the 26th of March, where she immediately began a spot of spring cleaning, clearing debris from the nest, re-arranging nesting material and readying the nest for the breeding season ahead.

RSPB Scotland, site manager at Loch Garten Richard Thaxton said; "Not surprisingly, we are completely thrilled and delighted to have a familiar and experienced bird like EJ back with us again. As far as we can tell she looks to be in good condition. She was clearly hungry after her long journey and is no doubt keen to get herself back into tip-top shape for breeding, she has already returned to the nest several times with fish, to replenish her fat reserves and resources.

13 years old
Like many ospreys, EJ winters almost 3000 miles away in West Africa before migrating all the way back to Strathspey in late March/early April. At 13 years old, she is one of the most experienced and well-known birds to visit the nature reserve.

Waiting for a mate
For the time being EJ will have to make do with single life, fishing and providing for herself, until a male arrives and pairs with her. But staff are hoping it won't be long before she is reunited with an old friend, Richard explained: "Our hope of course, is that Odin, her mate from last year, will also return safely and that the pair will be reunited at the nest and rear another family of young ospreys at the Loch Garten nest this summer. There's been no sign of him so far, but it's early days yet. It was early April last year before he showed up. Together they raised three chicks in 2009 and we are hopeful that they can do it all over again".

Nestcam
And once again, cameras are primed to record every detailed minute of this year's exciting and intriguing Loch Garten osprey season. It means for a third year running fans, old and new, can log on to a streaming webcam and catch the daily antics of some of the Cairngorms most famous residents.

The Osprey Centre will open to visitors on Thursday 1st April at 10am, thereafter daily 10am to 6pm until early September. The nest can already be viewed on-line here.