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
Delyth?
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
that's great news, thank you Tiger.
Good to hear that Tiger. I wonder where Blue 24 has gone. Where is Gwynant when you need him. Maybe plenty of time yet for him to show up.
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
MaryGK said: Good to hear that Tiger. I wonder where Blue 24 has gone. Where is Gwynant when you need him. Maybe plenty of time yet for him to show up.
Blue 24 is on the "new platform" at Dyfi.
Gwynant could not be expected back for another two months.
Yes but Blue 24 has hung around for a few years now, another couple of months won't matter to her. It would be a great match. She obviously likes the DYFI and if she can't have Monty who better than Gwynant Ha Ha....
The latest LG blog happened to comment (among the joyous news of EJ's first egg) that she had been seen drinking from pools over the last couple of days. Is that always an imminent sign of an osprey who's getting eggy, and does that imply being eggy dehydrates her?
Good morning, I wasn't sure where to post this so plumped for here.
Is there any news on the Wigtown ospreys, I think they were disturbed last year and abandoned the nest but wondered if there had been any sightings in 2016.
Jane V said: Good morning, I wasn't sure where to post this so plumped for here. Is there any news on the Wigtown ospreys, I think they were disturbed last year and abandoned the nest but wondered if there had been any sightings in 2016.
I think one of the Wigtown ospreys turned up recently. I just cannot think where off hand. Someone will know.
Hazel b said: Good morning, I wasn't sure where to post this so plumped for here. Is there any news on the Wigtown ospreys, I think they were disturbed last year and abandoned the nest but wondered if there had been any sightings in 2016.
[/quote]Yellow EP was photographed in North Wales
I had my first ever trip to Strumpshaw Fen (RSPB) yesterday, and was on a mission to see if there was any osprey news.
As the name suggests I suspect it could be really muddy, but it wasn't too bad apart from one or two stretches.
On arrival I asked whether there had been any sightings this year, and none of the volunteers seemed too sure, but one kindly phoned someone. There was a sighting last week - no date, and I can't find anything in Birdguides sightings. I also asked about the erection of nest platforms which I had read were being proposed. No one seemed to know; the Ben, the warden was not around to ask. The highlight for keen birders was the sighting of a penduline tit, which I didn't look for. I was more interested in the marsh harriers that appeared to be nesting the other side of the water at the main hide.
As I was leaving I struck up conversation with two folk who I had seen as we wandered around. They knew of the osprey sighting the previous week, but no news on nesting platforms - but the man they had been talking to would know - it was Ben. He denied there were any platforms at Strumpshaw Fen, but he was aware of a few on neighbouring 'private' lands. He confirmed that a number often have a stopover on southward migration, and recommended I return in August.
It was a lovely site to wander around, with lots of viewing places. Lots of fen water and the River Yare running to one side of the reserve. Well worth a visit, even if osprey aren't there!
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/