A month ago I wrote that the osprey season was about to begin. The first bird expected was 3 (97) from Rutland the first bird to arrive at a next in recent years. Well we have waited and waited and waited and still no sign of 3 (97) One must be concerned for him. However birds have turned up late before most notably Maya at Manton Bay who was three weeks late last year.
On Friday 18th of March it was reported that the first osprey had arrived in the form of 25 (10) Now she is the sister of that other well known osprey 24 (10) who hangs around Dyfi.
Later that day the news came through that the Loch of the Lowes female was home about 13 days early.
Then on Saturday 19th March we got the awful news that Beatrice had perished. No doubt about it as her body was recovered. She is loved by so many and osprey seasons will not be the same without her.
Early on Monday 21 March who should arrive but EJ at Loch Garten putting in her earliest appearance ever.
Then the ospreys came thick and fast mostly very early.
On Friday 25th March LM12 arrived at Loch of the Lowes making the first pair of the year.
Then on Sunday 27th March Odin arrived at Loch Garten but was not immediately recognised by everyone.
All the stats on imagicat
UKospreys have provided a rather helpful summary of all the arrivals
So all set for a great osprey watching summer.
Tiger's RSPB signature
Tiger Signature
Thank you for the intro Tiger, I must have posted while you were still in "reserved" mode LOL
Jane V said: Thank you for the intro Tiger, I must have posted while you were still in "reserved" mode LOL
That is true. It is reserved while I write that blurb.
Thanks for the intro Tiger. Yes I think many of us are somewhat concerned about 03(97) and this being the 20th anniversary of the Rutland Translocation Project - I just hope he makes it back.
And talking about 03(97) - Jane, that is a very interesting question about the nests? I'm sure I read somewhere that 03(97) built his own nest at Site B and is the only one I've heard of :-)
Karen without searching back for any official detail I can tell you that the Site B nest is a naturally built one and its presence was notified to the team by the landowner. Their co-operation has enabled the site to be monitored since then. 03(97) was in the first group that I helped monitor and I have subsequently had the privilege of visiting the location.
Rutland release very little detail of other nests that they watch.
UPDATE: I have just found chapter and verse on the 'old' site.
Birdies LG DU update.
Thanks Mike and also for the link.
Karen W said: I'm sure I read somewhere that 03(97) built his own nest at Site B and is the only one I've heard of :-)
Yes 3 (97) did build his own nest and used it. I think that at least two other birds built their own nests but never actually used them.They were possibly 9 (98) and 10 (00) but I could not be 100% certain of that.
Come to think of it 8 (97) may have done so as well.
No Ring and Mrs at Bassenthwaite also built a nest after using 2 different platforms in earlier years.
Hilary J
At Kielder in 2010 37/Mrs 37 built a nest of sorts but didn't breed, Rangers made a platform in the same tree which they used from 2011-2013. They then switched to a telegraph pole supported platform nearby. It was erected for them as their tree was decaying.
I have updated the Loch Garten Group Navigation Tool to take into account changes to threads yesterday. Let me know if there are any errors.
Jane V said: Tiger do we have any information on how many birds build their own nests rather than using the platforms? I suspect difficult to quantify.
Tiger do we have any information on how many birds build their own nests rather than using the platforms? I suspect difficult to quantify.