Tawny owl attack knocks Loch Arkaig osprey egg out of nest
Wildlife fans watched in horror as an osprey egg was sent tumbling to the ground in an attack by a tawny owl, writes Fiona Scott.
Woodland Trust Scotland has been operating a live nest camera at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in Lochaber since 2017, with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Viewers were keenly anticipating the hatching of this year’s three eggs when tragedy struck in the early hours of Tuesday while the camera was in its “night vision” mode.
George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland said: “The Loch Arkaig ospreys usually suffer several night-time attacks by tawny owls each year, but this is the first time any harm has been done.
“Tawny owl chicks are very mobile in the trees before they are able to fly and their parents get very nervous of anything they think might be a threat.
“Even though the fish-eating ospreys would not harm an owl chick the owls don’t want them around. What usually happens is an owl will fly at the female osprey sitting on her nest.
“There can be an almighty thump and the osprey might be knocked off temporarily but no harm is done.
“On this occasion though one of the eggs went over the side in the kerfuffle.
“It is just one of those things that happens as native wild creatures encounter each other.
“An enterprising badger or pine marten will likely have made egg.”
The egg went overboard following the third strike in a prolonged attack by the owl.
Osprey mum Dorcha had already been knocked off the nest and returned.
Osprey parents Louis and Dorcha are now tending to their remaining two eggs which are likely to begin hatching over the weekend.
The Loch Arkaig livestreams can be viewed on the Woodland Trust website. a meal of the smashed