I have been asked several times recently about the Wigtown Bay Ospreys. Some of you will remember that our birds were disturbed at the nest around 4 years ago when a new young non mature female had started to be courted by our male EP after losing the female HD the previous year, the following year they returned and things kicked of again but a further disturbance by photographers disturbed them again. The Female DK is from Aberdeen and sensitive to disturbance it would seem. Anyway they moved again but this time set up another nest about 7km further up the bay were they have had successful breeding seasons with last year 3 fledged and the year before 2 fledged.
This leads me on to last week a new male has been seen on the bay as well as EP and DK a identity ring has not been seen and shall not be looked for until he has settled and we are confident that disturbance will not be a problem and his nest is located and possibly a female located.
All we would ask is that these wonderful schedule 1 birds are allowed to settle at the nest. Should you discover nest leave it quickly and quietly so they can become confident in the safety of the nest and later acclimatized to the presence of humans.
Thanks for the update Paul. Brilliant to read EP and DK have returned - here's wishing them another successful season!
Is the tradition of ringing the bells in Wigtown still upheld when the ospreys appear? I do hope so as I think it's wonderful!
Look forward to updates on their progress and also any news of the the unringed male.