The Further Adventures of Breagha

Wendy, this happened nearly two weeks ago now.

Also, with a 3-day cycle (currently) for the transmitter, it's very unlikely any search could have resulted in a successful rescue, even if  Noisette/the LPO had been contacted as soon as the transmitter was seen to be static.  

Sorry, didn't quite realise the time line in all the upset!

Unknown said:

The staff wherever they are deserve to be left alone to enjoy a break.

Ideally someone would be "on call" who has info at their fingertips... :-/

In the Blog it said an RSPB team in the area was going to have a look, so someone somewhere has organised a search, I just don't think it's right that this search has not involved the local officials of the ONCFS (Police of the countryside) who are responsible for that sort of thing & the LPO who protect birds in France. What would they do if they found him, carry off his boby without permission? Do they have permission from the landowners to look in the woods? Only the ONCFS could do that.

scylla said:

The staff wherever they are deserve to be left alone to enjoy a break.

Ideally someone would be "on call" who has info at their fingertips... :-/

[/quote]At this time of year probably just the RSPB Abernethy Forrest Warden who again would rely on volunteer Mike for tracking data.

I am not sure at this point of time missing in action for 12 days they can do much bar possibly a recovery. They seem certain harm has come to the bird.

Lonnaig was recovered shortly after a mishap but within days was in such a state of decomposition that cause of death was unable to be confirmed.

Whilst it's disappointing news at two year old, it serves to remind us that only around 20% of ospreys reach a mature age to nest.

 

Sadly that percentage does not occur on the LG nest.  Would that it did.

Unknown said:

Whilst it's disappointing news at two year old, it serves to remind us that less than 30% of ospreys reach a mature age to nest.

Survival rates are hard to quantify but I think that 30% is way too optimistic. In my view it is around 20%

Now some ospreys do rather better than that. Site B at Rutland had a 100% return in 2004 and a 66% return in 2005. Mind you that means that other survival rates are even lower to give an overall return rate of 20%

There seems to have been a poor return rate of ospreys hatched in 2013.  Of the six that left  Wales none have yet been sighted.  None from Kielder either.  Of course White 14 did make it back to Bassenthwaite after a European grand tour. 

Still the number of fledged chicks does seem to be slowly increasing. 

Surely events like being caught in a fishing net, hitting a high tension wire, being electrocuted are all bad luck.  But there has to be something in the genes.  Are they more wary, more aware, more alert?  It is fascinating, albeit heartbreaking, to consider.

SheilaFE said:

Surely events like being caught in a fishing net, hitting a high tension wire, being electrocuted are all bad luck.  But there has to be something in the genes.  Are they more wary, more aware, more alert?  It is fascinating, albeit heartbreaking, to consider.

Well you got to wonder why birds with  11 (98)  and 3 (97) genes do so well?