Happy ending to osprey drama

[Al-khiyal]

June 16, 2007 -- If the scriptwriters of EastEnders are looking for inspiration after the ignominy of being beaten by Hollyoaks at the British Soap Awards last month, they could do worse than turn their attentions to a bird sanctuary in Scotland.

At the Loch Garten osprey centre near Aviemore they will discover a tale that boasts a love triangle, a paternity row, the slaughter of innocents - and even a happy ending.

The stars are three ospreys: EJ, her faithful lover, Henry, and the villain, VS. The saga began in late April when Henry returned later than usual from a winter in west Africa. In his absence, EJ had hooked up with his rival, VS. The fruits of their liaison were already incubating.

Observers and staff at the reserve watched in horror as Henry booted his rival's eggs from the nest. Hopes were soon dashed that he might believe the subsequent eggs which appeared were his when he kicked those too into touch. The BBC reported that staff at the centre were "gutted".

In early May, EJ laid again; and this time, Henry appeared to be the father, doting on her and helping to keep the eggs warm. At 5:30am on Thursday, the first of three eggs hatched, and the other two are expected to do so at the weekend.

"Mother and baby are doing fine, and Henry is off fishing for them right now," said Richard Thaxton, site manager at the centre.

VS, meanwhile, has not been seen since. "We're assuming that he has gone back to his own nest - and his own lady," said Mr Thaxton.

And what of the chick's name? Staff have not chosen one yet but there is already a frontrunner: Lucky.

Happy ending to osprey drama

[Cheba_Mami]