Continued from Osprey Chat Thread September 2013
At the beginning of September I said that the osprey season should have been all over but it wasn't. Well it is now. Yes the two very late osprey chicks at Dyfi viz. Clarach and Cerist finally migrated on 18th and 20th September respectively. They were incredibly well fed chicks and are now presumably well on their way to Africa. Hopefully they will return to Britain in 2015 but since they are not tracked it will be a very long and anxious wait.
Meanwhile the latest European trans location project to Basque country began to report in earnest. Five of the birds are tracked and four of them are slogging their way through the Sahara as I write. For details see here
The 2013 osprey has been the most exciting for me ever and I have now seen 15 osprey seasons. Maybe it is because more and more people are taking an interest and doing their own little pieces. Surely this can only bee good for ospreys and their well being. So all that remains is for us to follow the tracked birds to their destinations and then begin the long wait until it all begins again in March 2014.
Let us hope we all be ready for an exciting 2014
Tiger Signature
I don't think East Anglia could be ruled out either, Rachel - Lakenheath Fen, Abberton Reservoir and the Blyth Estuary have all enjoyed ospreys staying for a good length of time.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Rothiemurchus has restarted his migration.
Agree totally, Clare. East Anglia is perfect osprey territory. There was at least one bird that spent I think 2 successive summers somewhere in the Broads, but I haven't seen any reports of it this year. Which might, of course, suggest breeding, but it would be hard to keep that quiet in a fairly populated area.
That area is perhaps more likely to be recolonised naturally from Rutland, though. Rutland birds seem to go either north or sideways rather than south - if that tendency is typical, a south coast translocation should eventually spread north to fill the gap. A bit of human assistance wouldn't hurt, however!
I know that nesting poles are going up so my fingers are crossed!
Rachel R said: Agree totally, Clare. East Anglia is perfect osprey territory. There was at least one bird that spent I think 2 successive summers somewhere in the Broads, but I haven't seen any reports of it this year. Which might, of course, suggest breeding, but it would be hard to keep that quiet in a fairly populated area. That area is perhaps more likely to be recolonised naturally from Rutland, though. Rutland birds seem to go either north or sideways rather than south - if that tendency is typical, a south coast translocation should eventually spread north to fill the gap. A bit of human assistance wouldn't hurt, however!
In terms of the South Rachel Arlington Reservoir,just North of Eastbourne has seen birds frequently on migration. In 2012 two young males hung around for a few weeks and a blue ringed female was seen which Tim felt sure was Blue 12 who of course this year became the famous Glesni at Dyfi.
2013 has again seen birds there one of which Shane managed to photograph. Let's hope it only a matter of time before a natural colonisation occurs as Clare says.
Birdies LG DU update.
This video sorts out the rings question for the Basque trans-located birds. Sad video.
Dust storm in the Sahara
See here
and here
You can get it in English by pushing the EN button or use Google Chrome.
Hazel b said: Dust storm in the Sahara See here and here You can get it in English by pushing the EN button or use Google Chrome.
Earlier, Richard Thaxton told us of his trip to Malta, during Raptor Watch. He said that fortunately no he saw no osprey shot during his trip, but in June a German bird was not so lucky.
I have also come across this obituary of the founder the BirdLife - and the Donana Reserve, where I think our 'friend' Roberto works.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
I've just found this priceless account of a visit to Rothiemurchus - there's a video of Red 8T fishing and photos of EJ being chased by a mallard! This is a must see:
Rothiemurchus