‘LG Blogger’s Round Britain Tour’ of Osprey reserves and associated Osprey habitats.

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  • jsb - Thanks very much. I am enjoying reading about your tour.

  • Summary, Last Part.

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    26th I spent the morning at one of the locations in the area, where a ‘secret’ nest is located. I am sure that you will understand that I wish to protect the birds, by not saying any more about this part of my trip.

    In the afternoon I went to LG for the main purpose of photography. However, as many of you will know, visitors including members are restricted to the Centre and only volunteers are permitted to go to the forward hide. So even with a 500mm telephoto lens the pictures of the nest are not zoomed in as close as one would like. Nevertheless I shall post what I have in due course.

    27th I travelled north again to Findhorn Bay with the intention of trying to get photographs of Osprey fishing. The weather was fine, sunny and warm. I stopped at the bird hide, opposite the airfield and it was not in a very pleasant condition, with beer cans etc. Moving quickly on I got to the village Findhorn, which has a yachting centre, places to eat, two piers and some boatyards. The bay is almost enclosed by the Culbin sands beach, with a narrow neck, allowing the tide to come in very fast. The seals were coming into the bay to fish and some kayaks were enjoying the currents, no swimming definitely everywhere, as it would be far too dangerous. The basking Sharks failed to put in an appearance. The forest on the other side looked inviting, but, although there is a small boat, possibly a motor boat ferry, for trips to the opposite beach, the forest is notorious for people getting lost once inside and just to add to the excitement, there are some unexploded munitions, dating from the Second World War, practice of the D-Day landings.

    I was advised that the best time to see the Osprey would be in the evening when the tide was going out, between 6 to 8pm from the piers. I was prepared to wait and enjoyed the afternoon sight-seeing. During the afternoon the small group of boys, who had been fishing for crabs, from the pier had gone and the clouds began to appear, then the wind got up and the yachts started rattling their lines and bells started clanking, the wind was now quite strong, then the rain, which was only for a few minutes, cleared all the visitors quickly, me included. So I am afraid, it was back for dinner with no photos.

    28th I was due in London for a group lunch on Wednesday and I had extended my stay by two days, so it was time to head south. I found that in future I should allow at least two days per location, to complete all the aspects of each visit. After leaving Nethy Bridge, I took the back road to Coylumbridge for the last time and passed the LG turn off, with a lump in my throat, heading for Loch of the Lowes again, I had no news of Lady, due to no hotel Wi-Fi and o2 had told me in Inverness that it was not worthwhile buying a mobile broadband dongle, as Nethy Bridge was only served by GPRS, which is voice and not practical for surfing the web. I had not been to Aviemore, during this visit, if you do not count the fish farm.

    After some shopping at House of Bruar at Blair Atholl, Pitlochry and lunch in Dunkeld, I returned to LotL. I was really pleased to see the change in Lady, the first thing I noticed that her eyes were open again and she was eating and feeding, but still frail and a bit unsteady. This was before she went fishing on Tuesday, the following day, as I was later to hear. What I learned from the staff, was how she got back to the nest the previous Monday. There she was at the water’s edge and after resting, she made a laboured climb and circled to gain height, remember she was blind or almost blind, when she was above the trees trying to find the nest, the chicks called out to her and she was able to land safely on the nest. Truly remarkable, the chicks seem to have saved their mother’s life. The staff also said that  Roy Dennis, had never heard of the type of illness or symptoms that she suffered, so as far as I know it remains a mystery. During the visit I joined the SWT and took some photos from the hide, which I need to process and compress to get them to upload.

    I then headed for Glentress in the Tweed Valley, for a brief visit to the exhibition, which includes a monitor of the nest. I shall try to scan the leaflets I collected and post the images in due course.

    I treated myself to a night in the Peebles Hydro and got an upgrade for the accommodation, this hotel is superb and the room was immaculate, dinner was first class, head waiter, service and politeness, there are not many hotels these days, like this one. Just to bring me down to earth, I informed the reception lady, apart from holding conferences there in the past, as a 21 year old student, I used to deliver their fish from Edinburgh in my fish lorry!

    29th As I said before I like back roads. So I wanted to go to the woollen mills factory shops in Hawick. I headed for Traquiar, the Gordon Arms Hotel, Tushielaw Inn, Roberton, then to Hawick. The reason being that the countryside in this area is suitable for Osprey and I stopped on the way a few times, also to chase lambs from the road, that refused to budge.

     I thought I may see some Osprey, but no luck, that day although the countryside was ideal. I left Hawick for Surrey via the A7, M6, M6Toll, M42, M40 and M25.

    I am thinking of returning to LG for the migration, meantime I will be busy putting up my photos on the thread. You will have to bear with me, if some of you remember, from the weekly blog; the package containing the new cameras was tampered with, just before I left, so the camera software is not on the computer yet, which is what I have to do next.

    ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site

    Sat track schedule Spring 2014

    LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies

  • Thanks very much JSB for part  3 of your Osprey Odyssey. It is interesting that you mentioned the Peebles Hydro Hotel as I spent one night of my  honeymoon there when I was 24. It really is a lovely place as is Peebles. I also know Glentress very well as I did lots of walking in the area when I lived near Glasgow. I think you will recognise this photo of Findhorn Bay with a view across to Culbin forest:

  • Hi Alan: Re Findhorn picture, just as I saw it. Thanks. My sister lived in Peebles for a while. The Forestry have changed Glentress into a very popular activity centre, as I am sure you know. There were many mountain bikers getting ready to go home when I was there.

    ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site

    Sat track schedule Spring 2014

    LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies

  • RE Pitlochry and the salmon ladder,  Did you see the two Osprey nests on the way/ Jus wondering if they were productive again this year.

    All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
    Spike Milligan

  • Hi Soosin: No, I did not know about them or where to look. It was probably the hottest day of my trip, the only unusual thing I saw was a guy sitting on a bench marked, 'wet paint', beside the theatre at the dam and a passer-by smiled and said to me, "Now there's a guy, who likes to live dangerously". ;o)

    ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site

    Sat track schedule Spring 2014

    LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies

  • Oh, jsb, I envy you in a lovely way. What a wonderful tour. I visited Peebles some years ago and we are visiting it again this year at Innerleithen Water. We have taken a cottage near there called Woodhope Bank.Unfortunately it will be after they have closed down for the winter which I presume the centre does when the ospreys have migrated.?????

    We lived in Scotland for 2 years many moons ago and once had a break in Boat of Garten. Unfortunately I was not a member of the RSPB then and have only joined it since my father passed away (it was one of his passions and he often went on bird trips arranged locally)  Hope to visit more often now that hubby is retired, but I've still to pursuade him as I don't drive.  I can dream, maybe one day it will be, who knows.

    So pleased it went well for you and that you enjoyed yourself.

  • Thanks jsb so enjoyed reading about your travels.  The only place that you mentioned which I have actually visited is the fish ladder at Pitlochery many years ago I might add.  How wonderful to see all the ospreys and arriving at Loch of the Lowes on the day that Lady took a turn for the better. 

    Margobird

  • Thanks so much jsb - really enjoyed reading, and look forward to the photos.  Haven't yet been to Findhorn or Kielder, but know all the other places. 

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • Thanks jsb, just catching up. It really is a brilliant read and I have thoroughly enjoyed following your 'Osprey Tour.'

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