It is the first day of a new month and the last osprey free month as far as us in Britain are concerned.
Mind you our first thoughts today are where Millie is? After a long stay near the Senegal river she took off south on 17 January and we anxious await the next download to see where she has ended up.
The wait for both EJ and Odin is getting really short now.
Just exactly when will they arrive? Will Blue XD be racing north in contrast to last year when the weather was somewhat against him?
The other big question is "Will Lady Return?" I said a year ago that I was not ruling it out and I am not going to this year either.
Mind you last season has not really finished at Kielder yet with all the antics of the tracked juveniles.
Last year we were asking if Blue YD would move north. Well as most of you know he did but then disappointingly his transmitter failed in Yorkshire. This year of course the big question is will Blue CF4 move north? I feel sure he will. Of course Blue CF4 is better known to us as Breagha. What a huge excitement his return should be.
There is so much excitement to look forward to. Better get all the housework and other chores done as from 1st March there is going to be little time to catch up (on the housework that is).
What great excitement lies in store?
Tiger Signature
Abberton Reservoir and their osprey platform project, which is a Face Book page. Quote from the Wildlife Trust site:
Abberton Reservoir is one of Europe’s best birdwatching sites: a wetland of international importance for wildfowl in particular, attracting close to 50,000 ducks, swans and geese every year.
Abberton reservoir is a birdwatcher’s paradise in autumn. As a huge expanse of fresh water, just a few miles from the sea, the reservoir is a perfect refuge and feeding point for migratory birds. As well as common species, it always attracts scarce birds and often rare ones, too. In autumn, Abberton’s birdlife is high on quality and quantity: wintering ducks, such as Wigeon, will arrive in their thousands. Bewick’s Swan and winter geese will soon follow. Birds of prey, such as Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl, will start to appear, too. As well as the wonderful wildlife, Abberton Reservoir has an interesting history: during World War Two, the reservoir was mined, to prevent it being used by amphibious aircraft, in the event of a German invasion. The Reservoir was also used as a practice area in 1943 by 617 Squadron – the Dam Busters.
Essex Wildlife Trust’s visitor centre and nature reserve is four miles south-west of Colchester, off the B1026, south of the village of Layer-de-la-Haye. It is open daily, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, from 9am-5pm.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Thanks, Limpy and Sheila--that is good news about the nesting platforms! We visited Abberton over the holidays (lovely place!) and now I will have to work our how we can visit again during Osprey season, providing any birds choose to stay there.
Kind regards, Ann
Here is a different take on a platform!
A possibility for someone near Abberton Reservoir - its a Face Book link. Quoted here for those not on FB. There was a wonderful pic of three young folk, who had clearly been digging in the mud, they were covered in it!
"VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY: We are looking for someone to lead our monthly teenage work party to start in March 2015. Green Bunch are a group of hard working 11-18 year olds who meet once a month and undertake various different tasks on the nature reserve and around the reservoir. We are looking for a keen individual with some knowledge of practical conservation and experience of leading groups of young people to take on the role of Green Bunch Leader. CRB checks will be completed on the successful applicant. Please email alic@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to apply."
A new osprey cam at St Lucie River, Stuart, Florida (bottom left)
Thanks to ChloeB for the update.
Thanks TM, looks like I'll have to get a separate laptop just for all the Osp live cams, the one I'm using is nearly full of pinned cam sites for all sorts!!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Thanks Tiger. Osprey on the perch just now, but the swaying about and water below makes it difficult to watch, feel like I'm on the nest LOL
© Scottish Wildlife Trust - Loch of the Lowes
Only 40 days until EJ is back.
See LG Countdown
Just to say that on Sunday 1st March the guessing game for when EJ will return will open.
It will run until midnight on Friday 20/21 March.
Then the guessing game for the date of Odin's return will open on Saturday 21st March and close at midnight on Saturday 28/29 March.
As usual it will be in three parts
1. The date of touching down on the nest
2. The time
3. Whether the bird will have a fish
Remember the clocks go forward in the early hours of Sunday 29 March. So times after that will be in BST.
I have just realised that the end of the guessing game will almost coincide with the clocks going forward.
Roy Dennis has updated his website and there is good news of Beatrice, Blue XD and Gren J
There are a couple of enthusiasts going out to the Gambia tomorrow who hope to find that Rothiemurchus is alive and well.