Much ado about sticks

Screenshots from Sääksilive Osprey nests.

At nest #1, Lumme flies home from her sleeping tree, and brings a stick with her.

Did she grab it by trying to perch on a branch that broke under her, and it just stayed in her talons, or is this her practicing her nest-building instincts for adulthood? Who knows. But, good morning!

Utu turns up soon after.

Good morning to you, too! He didn't bring anything.

Lumme brings another stick later. I guess not a perching fumble, then.

Ordering breakfast.

At nest #4, Nuppu is still around. Her mate Nemo has been away for a few days, but she hasn't been alone.

Who's this birb?

A male Osprey with the band ID TXP, who was pretty insistent last night about getting Nuppu's attention. He's been seen at these camera nests on several occasions, including at this nest in the spring this year. TXP was banded as a nestling in 2020, so he's 4 years old. I guess he didn't have luck with the ladies this or previous year when he would have been old enough to nest, and is still looking.

Nuppu doesn't seem happy to see him, and shows him the door.

Screams for good measure. TXP can be seen flying away in the mist on the right in the two upper camera shots.

TXP tries a different strategy than just turning up uninvited. He turns up uninvited with a stick.

Nope. Shoo!

New try. Perhaps she'll like this one?

TXP moves sticks around in the nest. Nuppu screams at him from the camera.

Well, she hasn't kicked him out yet? But also didn't stop screaming until he left, so I wouldn't call this seduction attempt the most successful.

Nuppu at the nest.

And now Nemo! Where've you been? I thought you might have migrated already. So did apparently TXP, ready to swoop in, lol. Well, he's brought a fish, that's got to be better than a stick.