Sorry for no update for a while, but we have been away. However, I can now report that the latest data shows that Nethy is still at Lac de Guiers, doing fine and dandy at what is looking increasing likely to be her wintering spot, for now at least. It sounds like a good place she has chosen.
The Lac de Guiers is south of the city of Richard-Toll in northern Senegal. It is a chief source of fresh water for the capital city, Dakar. It is supplied by the Bounoum River and it is a big lake, about 35 kilometers long and 8 kilometers wide, and 17,000 hectares in extent, so at that size, it will surely have other ospreys there too, giving Nethy chance to be on the lookout for a future suitor, perhaps.
Previously Lac de Guiers was called Lac du Panier Foule or Pania Fuli, referring to the Peulh people. It is designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International; the key species are Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, African Spoonbill Platalea alba, White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus and River Prinia Prinia fluviatilis. It sounds wonderful, not surprising Nethy seems intent on staying here a while.
Meanwhile, Alice and I were away for part of last week, but alas not over in Senegal checking on Nethy, but at the RSPB Scottish Staff Conference. Here we had the opportunity to up-date our colleagues on the success of the satellite tracking project, not just what we have learned and are still learning about the migration movements and timings etc, but about the extent to which you all out there, our 'virtual audience' have engaged with us and the project.
Colleagues were impressed with some figures we were able to give them on the avid readership following and the loyal support you have been to this work. The blog has attracted 360,000 visits (equivalent to 60,000 visitors), and the tracking pages have attracted 154,000 visits (equivalent to 37,800 visitors) - just since it went live in mid-July, which is more than the figure for actual visitors to the Osprey Centre this past summer. Which is all fantastic, and much appreciated.
However what I think delighted them most was how many of you have shown your further support for this project and RSPB's work in general, by signing the Bird of Prey pledge and joining the RSPB. In all so far, over 1,100 of you have signed the pledge and 66 of you have joined the RSPB. This too is brilliant, thanks.
However, and I'm guessing you'll know what's coming next (again!), it would be all the more marvellous, if those of you who haven't as yet done either of these two things, would consider doing so. There is a fresh skiff of snow outside today and it is all looking very festive. Which brings Christmas to mind, and prompts me to make a suggestion.
If you are stuck for ideas for friends and family, why not consider RSPB membership as a Christmas gift, or indeed Wildlife Explorer membership for those sons, daughters, nephews, nieces or grandchildren? It will last all year, likely longer than some presents might do, and just might serve as a springboard for what could become a newfound, life-long interest, care and passion for birds and wildlife. Please give it a thought, and if you do, please remember to use the code PR08 (that's zero 8). Thank you.
Similarly, as you gather with family and friends over the Christmas period, but are not inspired by the festive fare on telly – likely to be yet another re-run of El Cid or The Great Escape, why not log-on and sign the Birds of Prey pledge as an alternative family activity to the annual game of Cluedo or Kerplunk! Only joking :-) Though it wouldn't take a minute, would it?
Meanwhile back here at the reserve, there are still some waxwings around - a colleague saw a flock of 23 last week, and the geese flighting-in to roost on Loch Garten now number 600. However, the most astonishing recent sighting was a wildcat in my garden on Saturday night! There we were dining with friends when it strolled across the lawn, under spotlights. A real wildlife moment if ever there was one.
That's all for now. Alice will up-date you next, hopefully on Friday.
Richard Thaxton
Loch Garten site manager.
Forgot to mention, 6 Long-tailed tits on one garden feeder all at the same time. Never seen one on a feeder before let alone six!