Nature cameras at RSPB Loch Garten (part of Abernethy nature reserve) provided incredible glimpses into the lives of Scotland’s Capercaillie, Ospreys and Goshawks last spring and summer. The Capercaillie camera, funded by the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, allowed us to watch these forest birds at a dust bath. July brought excitement when a brood of six chicks, three males and three females, came into view, indicating that the RSPB’s forest-management methods – including Nofence collar cattle grazing, robocutters, and diversionary feeding – are having a positive impact.
Live bird feeder cam at Abernethy /Loch Garten. Video: RSPB Garten.
Male Osprey Brodie was seen bringing in Flounder (above) and Mackerel – fish usually associated with the coast – raising questions about his foraging journeys. And some unexpected nest visitors made night-time appearances: a Pine Marten explored the Osprey nest, while a snoozing Goshawk found itself dive-bombed by a Tawny Owl.
These webcams will come online again in the spring, but the bird-feeder cam showcasing the likes of Crested Tits and Red Squirrels continues to broadcast on Youtube (see above).
Capercaillie chicks
A brood of six Capercaillie chicks came to use the dust bath to rid their feathers of lice and to shed excess oil.
Capercaillie chicks, screenshot from web cam at RSPB Loch Garten. Photo: RSPB
Pine Marten
A Pine Marten was caught on camera exploring the Osprey nest in late summer after the chicks had fledged.
Pine Marten, screenshot from web cam at RSPB Loch Garten. Photo: RSPB
Goshawk nest
Female Goshawks are fierce protectors of their nests, as seen when a Tawny Owl was captured swooping on this nest in April.
Tawny owl invading Goshawk nest, screenshot from web cam at RSPB Loch Garten. Photo: RSPB
Live Osprey nest zoom camera from Loch Garten. Video: RSPB
Live Osprey nest camera from Loch Garten. Video: RSPB
