We had zero chicks at Loch Garten nest this summer, so there are none to follow this winter. EJ and Odin have migrated south and with neither tagged we cannot follow them. Sadly, we have lost Breagha, the last tagged LG offspring. Once again a healthy Loch Garten chick is “lost contact, presumed dead”. Even the camera is away for the winter. Thus we have lost all contact with the Loch Garten nest. For the first time since I found EJ and the Loch Garten nest, there is NOTHING LEFT. Nothing left, that is, except HOPE for a better season in 1916.
On this note of hope I will maintain The Gabfest in a semi-retired state. Thus we will be open for any osprey news which comes through, whether it be from UK or USA or Africa. Also any bird or wildlife photos or news are always appreciated here.
Over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve some may wish to share photos of their cakes, Christmas Trees and/or some music videos. Winter gardening, trains, anything goes here on the Gabfest that anyone wants to talk about.
So if anyone cares to come in for a wee chat, the Gabfest may be sleeping, but it is open.
The above link takes us to an article about the reestablishment of Lynx in Scotland. It is informative, interesting and has many beautiful pictures of the lynx.
Unfortunately the link is not live on my computer. Nor will it copy and paste. But if you care to go to the trouble of retyping the link I think you will find the article to be worth the extra effort.
I am at present on business in Macedonia a country that has Lynx although it is known as the Balkands Lynk a sub species of the European Asian Lynx that is widespread throughout Europe and the species they wish to introduce to Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Although a survey recntly for the Lynx UK Trust amongst the public was favourable in support of the introduction the bodies who would licence such as the SNH in Scotland remain sceptical. I am not sure about Natural England the body responsible in England.
As well as support there has been much scaremongering amongst the farmers union with bodies from Norway FU providing support. They say in norway the Lynx takes much livestock (Sheeep) although in Norway the sheep graze in the deep forrest unlike Scotland. The lynx is a solitary animal and prefers to remian deep in the forrest and would more than likely prey on deer within the forrest.
I have been following the introduction forums for a few years now since it became more of a reality and can see advantages of the introduction but will listen closely as to what the SNH decide.
The problem with these introductions is that in a few years they want rid of them so careful planning is needed on both sides. Beavers were introduced a few years ago into Scotland and now they are under a stay of execution until SNH decide on their future.
Interesting thoughts, Keith. Not lynx, but have you seen the film "How Wolves Change the Course of Rivers". I wonder whether lynx would keep the deer numbers down. There is much discussion on too many deer around, needing control. Even down where I live, and indeed in my garden, deer are doing a huge amount of damage. For some reason they must like walnut trees! The two I have have had the bark stripped, and although new growth has appeared from the base on one, the tree has in all intents and purposes, died. They other I suspect will go the same way.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
DO THEY WINTER TOGETHER - Well the news is just filtering that both LOTL juvenile FR3 has joined sibling FR4 on the same river in Gambia only 20 miles apart on the northbank of the River Gambia.
It reminds me of the article in British Birds - Summer edition.
Two ospreys were spotted fishing at Technopole Lagoons in Senegal one only 500 meters from where the other fished in November 2014 ringed AB60 and AB62.
Records showed both came from the same brood/same nest ringed on 3 July 2014 at a nest Dronnewitz (Mecklenburg - Vorpommern in Germany.
They arrived to the same place to fish only 500 meters apart some 5140 km from the natal nest.
Now we know that the adults and juveniles migrate solitarily so it is presumed young ospreys use only inherited programming when making their first journey to Africa.
The observation af siblings wintering close together as in AB60 and AB62 and FR3 and FR4 supports the inmportance of genetic factors in dictating the direction and destination of the migratory journey in this species.
Ospreys use orientational migration (innate directional instinct) and/or navigational migration (using geographic references).
In both cases above the young ospreys have to travel relying exclusively on their genetic instinct. So it is specially surprising that two sibling ospreys, guided only by their instinct and travelling separately have reached the same wetland after such a trip. Or is it NOT SURPRISING.
FR3 (Blue) - FR4 (Green) - Present Known Positions approximately 20 miles apart.
And both migration routes are pretty similar throughout.
ShielaFE - You have highlighted one of the big advantages of the re-introduction of Lynx into Scotand. The deer are doing the same to our ancient forrests as they are to your garden.
Yellowstone Park is a fine example of an introduction programme.
At present I have just listened to the debates over the past few years without outwardly supporting either side but if you pressed me I would like to see a re-introduction in Scotland.
A forrst near to Huntley in Aberdeenshire has already been marked as a prime area for the first introduction if SNH sanctioned such a licence.
Not sure if am quite ready for the wolves just yet. The grazing lands of Scotland is different to the wildlife of Yellowstone Park although again there is a call from some for introduction. I think the Lynx is realistic but have reservations regarding the wolf and bear at present. Not sure how many in numbers are needed to bring back the eco system in Scotland and how long it will take to reach them numbers they are talking about 400 in The Highlands.
This makes interesting reading.
ShielaFE - That is a great article - I had read it previously and have it filed.
Sheila Fe, thanks for a working link to the article I posted above.
Oops, sorry June. That's what comes from not going back over a thread.
Keith, Very interesting about the German Ospreys and about FR3 and FR4 spending their winters so close to each other.
Kind regards, Ann