The Osprey. The Siskin.

On a visit to the RSPB reserve at the beautiful Loch Garten, I was priviledged to see Odin. This male Osprey was late to mate with his partner of the last 3 years. Beaten to the act (which is viable for 14 days) he stood guard over the established nest and his humiliation and despair was clearly visible on the CCTV camera that you can see in my photo. The female had disappeared that morning, obviously (so the RSPB volunteers assured me) distressed that she had mated with the new, younger male who had beaten him to it.

Now "Odin" sits on his tree overlooking his empty nest and you can't help thinking; Mills and Boon of Strathspey.

The sweet little Siskin in all his colours to attract a sweet little Siskin girl, cheered me up. Despite the sudden snow and cold which has left the daffodils and primulas flattened and the small birds returning to the bird feeders, the males are in all their glory preparing for the serious business of mating and raising their young.

It's all love and lust and longing in the bird world.