If you have been watching the webcam today then you will have noticed that both of our chicks are blinged out with a new set of fancy rings. Our first chick hatched six weeks ago today and since then they have grown to full size, sprouted a fine set of feathers and have flight on their mind. This is the stage that they are ready to be fitted with rings that will help us ID them in the future. A satellite transmitter is also fitted which will allow us to track their migration south and follow their progress in the big bad world. We only have a small window of opportunity to do this, the birds have to be developed enough to fit rings and transmitters but any later and they have either flown the nest or they are at least thinking about it and spook easily. At six weeks old they are the right size but still play dead in the nest at the sign of an intruder. Weather conditions have to be right too – if it is raining then the stress would be too much for a bird that is wet and cold, if it is too windy then it is too risky putting the ladder up against the tree. Some of you may remember that the 2010 chicks were not ringed for this reason. So when we arrived at the centre at 8am this morning to the rustling of trees blowing about in the wind, we all thought we were going to have a repeat of 2010, especially as tomorrow was the very last day that Roy could ring these two. It was a tense half hour as we waited for the wind to drop but thankfully it did, it eased up long enough for us to rush over the bog (if anyone has ever had to rush over a bog before then you’ll know how sluggish this process is!) with a set of ladders and a box for the chicks. And just as well we went when we did because when it came to putting the chicks back later on the wind had picked up again – had we waited until 9am to do this then we would have abandoned ringing today altogether.
EJ, who has seen this happen several times before, was quick to take to the sky and alarm call. Odin, who is rarely at the nest when this happens, took to the sky with her and seemed more furious at our intrusion than EJ who is almost accustomed to this annual event. As Ian, our assistant warden, got to the top of the ladder, Odin took a few warning swoops at the nest. Each chick was carefully brought down to ground level, one by one, to a waiting box that was filled with moss, then carefully carried over the bog to Roy Dennis, who was ready and waiting to fit their new rings and satellite transmitters.
A BTO ring with a number that is unique to the bird is fitted on one leg and then a coloured ring which is easily identifiable from a distance is fitted to another leg. The transmitter is then strapped on like a rucksack, and this is the tricky bit as Roy carefully sews the straps together in a surgical like manner. He is careful not to secure it too tightly but not too loosely either, and also careful not to attach it to Richard’s hand as he holds the bird! It is usually at this point that the chick shows his/her distaste for the whole shebang by spraying poo down the front of Richard. And low and behold, just as the transmitter was in place a squirt of white went flying in Richard’s direction, but he has obviously got savvy over the years and managed to dodge it. The next chick had a different tactic and went for Roy instead but he also managed to sidestep the white assault and the Osprey Centre floor was christened instead.
And like I said, it was a bit of a bumpy ride getting these guys back into the nest, and yes I say guys because it is two boys that we have this year! However, they are both safely back in their nest, Odin is sat at the top of the Camera Tree looking vigilant and EJ is perched on a nearby tree. Both chicks had a feed this morning so had plenty of energy to see them through their adventure.
Now I’m sure you’re all desperate to know the names of our two boys. We asked Deshar and Nethy Primary to come up with names again this year and so...drumroll please. First up we have...Breagh. Gaelic for beautiful/handsome and I’m sure you’ll all agree very appropriate for this good looking osprey. Pronounced bree-ah. Our other boy is Oighrig. Another Gaelic name, which means ‘new speckled one’ but when you translate it into an English name, it is Africa (which could end up being ironic should he end up in Spain like his older sibling, Caledonia). Pronounced oy-rick.
Names, numbers and biometrics are as follows:
Chick 1:
Name: Breagh
BTO number: 1410655
Blue/white CF4
Wing: 333mm
Tail: 138mm
Weight: 1510g
Sex: Male
Chick 2:
Name: Oighrig
BTO number: 1410656
Blue/white CF5
Wing: 351mm
Tail: 157mm
Weight: 1460g
Now they are suited and booted for their life outside the nest, all they need to now is learn how to use those wings of theirs. They already seem keen to get going with regular wing flaps, often beating each other on the head as they clumsily stretch their wings. Roy’s comment upon seeing these two was that they both look in very healthy condition. Mum and dad have obviously done a good job with this pair and it won’t be long until they take to the skies.
And now for the photos:
CF5 - Oighrig
Sewing on the tracker on CF4 - Breagh
Oighrig
Jen with Breagh and Richard with Oighrig