This is the new thread for posting reports of osprey sightings, whether on the internet, in the press or in real life.
For the benefit of any new or less frequent viewers, it might be helpful if the first person to refer to a regular online source of information, for example Faune-Aquitaine, provided a link and a brief explanation of what the site is about.
Let the migration season commence!
Translation via the 'Babelfish' add-on in Firefox, the highlighted words are my edits to the Babelfish gobbledegook!
la Vidange / Tierce :-
Remarks: 10:27 the bird by the fishing spot. 10:32 it landed on a dead tree which had got washed up on the bank (grooming) metal ring on the right leg and ring number or letter on the left ring black white writing reading a 0 or o. bird problems with it's left foot which it uses rarely and is balanced on the right foot he opens and closes the left leg which seems almost without any sensation in it, by putting it down to stand on, very rarely. départ10h58 fishing effort stalled for 10 minutes and goes north. iris yellow (eyes), trace of black feathers on his head (probably an adult)
Alan: Many thanks for your numerous sightings reports. Can you suggest a string of words for a Google search to get the sighting reporting websites to put in my bookmarks and also to set up Google alerts (which is how I can sometimes post press reports as soon as they are issued.)
It just occurred to me that this poor bird is going to have real trouble catching fish and carrying food to somehow manage to hold it to eat.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site
Sat track schedule Spring 2014
LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies
jsb : Thanks for your translation of the sighting. I did get the gist of it from the little French that I know. Hopefully the injury is only a temporary one and it will be able to fish soon. It looks like a Scottish bird with the Darvic ring on the left leg.
I am not sure about the Google search for the sighting websites but I use Birdguides for the UK ones:
http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=029001
On the French websites I use the search engine which is a bit temperamental at the moment as they are about to upgrade the servers. This work should be completed by 1st April.
http://www.faune-aquitaine.org/index.php?m_id=4&sp_DOffset=3
25/03 13:15 OXFORDSHIRE : Osprey, Banbury [S]probable flew north late morning (11:30)25/03 13:16 CONWY : Osprey, Llandudno [S]one flew over early afternoon (12:50)
Alan : I had 'birdguides' in my bookmarks, but had forgotten the UK global search for sightings, thanks for the reminder. I must look at it again though. I joined the f-a and anjou sites last year, you will remember the postcode problem we had with the registration. I see what you mean about the site being temperamental though and you may already know this but, to get fewer sightings in your search, the 'peu frequente' button usually brings the Balbuzard to the top of the list.
Thanks jsb. This sighting is less than 10 miles from where I live:
25/03 14:13 CAMBRIDGESHIRE : Osprey, Farcet Fen [S]one flew northwest mid-afternoon (13:50)
Possibly heading for RW?
Sandy: Those were my thoughts as well. Right direction for RW.
One today in Vendee:Ancienne Digue des Habitants / Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm (85)1 Balbuzard pêcheur (Pandion haliaetus) [Antoine Belrepayre ]
25/03 23:04 CONWY : Osprey, Llandudno [S]flew south over Llandudno Junction (12:00)26/03 07:57 CAMBRIDGESHIRE : Osprey, Castor Hanglands [S]one flew west yesterdayI think the above could be the same one reported over Farcet Fen. Castor Hanglands is in a direct line to Rutland Water.
Alan: Has Sherlock Holmes taken lodgings on Tracy Island?