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
Rob Bierregaard reports that Edwin, one of his tracked ospreys started moving north three days ago.
Also in The Osprey News Bulletin
Diane and All, Thanks, Diane for the link. The beautiful Snowy owl was there when I looked just now. She looks alert and happy enough but I do hope she is not starving (as many Snowy owls, who get as far south as even the northern States of the USA in hard winters, are). Perhaps they are feeding her?
Kind regards, Ann
Unknown said: Diane and All, Thanks, Diane for the link. The beautiful Snowy owl was there when I looked just now. She looks alert and happy enough but I do hope she is not starving (as many Snowy owls, who get as far south as even the northern States of the USA in hard winters, are). Perhaps they are feeding her?
Nice to see you, Gardenbirder! The Collins Marsh staff haven't said anything about feeding her, not that I've seen. They have sternly warned people not to disturb her, so that she won't use any more energy than necessary. I did see her spot some prey and fly off to hunt yesterday evening. I think the osprey nest gives her a great vantage point. Also, when the camera angle was different, I noticed a prey item on the osprey nest -- some sort of small rodent. There should be plenty of prey available at that site, if she's experienced enough to catch it and has retained enough stamina. It has been a harsh winter in the upper Midwest! I'm hoping that she's getting enough food. She is wondrous!
Thanks Diane, I trust you will keep us posted. It must be fairly cold in Wisconsin now. What prey do you think she can find--mice, or...? I would think most things would be tucked up in bed for the winter!
Limpy, Thanks for the update on Abberton's nest poles. I am surprised they have not already chosen where they will put the Osprey nest/s! What bird life did you see when you were there?
Unknown said: Thanks Diane, I trust you will keep us posted. It must be fairly cold in Wisconsin now. What prey do you think she can find--mice, or...? I would think most things would be tucked up in bed for the winter!
G: The folks at Collins Marsh posted that she will eat small rodents (that would be voles, squirrels, several mouse species...), as well as rabbits, waterfowl and other birds. Those prey are all active even in harsh winter conditions. The GHOs and Barred Owls here where I live find those prey all winter long to sustain themselves. You're right, though, it's very cold in Wisconsin and much of the eastern half of the U.S. right now. The owl will need to hunt smart and conserve her energy. She's probably young, so I do worry about her.
Hazel b said: 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.
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.
Only just over 6 days to go.
It is all getting very close now. Will Beatrice move by 1st March?
3 (97) is due back on 17 March. Is he already thinking "Well that is another holiday over, time to think about making more chicks to add to the dynasty"
Hazel b said:3 (97) is due back on 17 March. Is he already thinking "Well that is another holiday over, time to think about making more chicks to add to the dynasty"
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
All the speculation will soon have to stop as it will be replaced by real events.
Yay!
What's the betting someone finally employs me just as EJ makes her triumphant return?