Hi everyone, not seen much of the action yesterday as I have been on and off the computer. Believe it had its moments though.
All quiet as all three GEM's are sleeping and EJ must be roosting in a tree nearbye.
Not sure what the weather is doing, it sounded like a shower earlier.
Happy viewing, see you all in the morning.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Unknown said: Here's a question I've been meaning to ask but have kept on forgetting: Is the sex of young Ospreys ascertained just by weight or are other methods used? Paul.
Here's a question I've been meaning to ask but have kept on forgetting: Is the sex of young Ospreys ascertained just by weight or are other methods used?
Paul.
Paul, I believe weight is all they really have to go by, with juveniles. Even then it's not 100% - a chick from Glaslyn judged to be female when it was ringed, is currently breeding in Scotland - as a male!
Some people have been trying to guess the sex of our current chicks based on chest colour, but I'm not sure the experts pay any attention to that with juveniles. These French chicks were considered to be female, male & female based on weight, but their chests all look the same pale shade to me!
http://suivi-balbuzard-ravoir.francis-digiscopie.fr/2010_BAGUAGE.html
Their weights were 1780g, 1620g and 1860g so it will be interesting to see how the LG chicks compare.
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Thanks Sue C :-)I wonder if a feather sample could be taken from the chicks and analysed for DNA, although there would have to be a guarntee that no stress would be caused to the Ospreys. I can understand why many people try to guess the gender of of young Ospreys by the chest colour. From my very short time watching Ospreys, I've tended to notice that the females seem to have a lot more brown on the chest than males. That's a comical story about the Glaslyn youngster :-)Paul
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
Unknown said: Here is a quote from Roy Dennis's book page 87: "Very well fed female chicks can be as heavy as 1800 grams, but 1500-1600 grams is the norm while the males weight anything from 1200 to 1400 grams. We measure the length of the longest feather in the wing and tail as these are useful indicators of age and along with the weight give an idea of the sex of the bird" This is all I can find in his book. If I find more information I will post it
Here is a quote from Roy Dennis's book page 87:
"Very well fed female chicks can be as heavy as 1800 grams, but 1500-1600 grams is the norm while the males weight anything from 1200 to 1400 grams. We measure the length of the longest feather in the wing and tail as these are useful indicators of age and along with the weight give an idea of the sex of the bird"
This is all I can find in his book. If I find more information I will post it
Thanks for the info Barbara Jean. :-)
Roy also tells of a bird he was sure was a female . A few years later when it returned to breed is was a male :)
It is just an educated guess. However, he has spent his entire life studying Ospreys so he has a lot of experience.
Formerly known as Barbara Jean
Been out so playing catchup again. Thanks for the updates and fab pics. Is it Chrissy B who said she had been able to visit both sites. Thats fabulous. Glad you could do it.
It looks a glorious evening at LG. EJ has just flown of the nest but is back with a clump of moss. Now where is she going to put it. And off she goes again.
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‘’BarbaraJean
This is all I can find in his book. If I find more information I will post it’’
Very pleased to read this info BarbaraJean – thanks very much for that (I don’t yet have Roy Dennis’ book) Hopefully, one Christmas.
I’m sure you are right about my ‘guesses’ in regard to the young Osps sex SueC . I’m really looking forward to the experts opinion and naming of these captivating young Ospreys.
Simply super evening shots of the nest Heron – the family look just great in the late sunshine
Four fish I think so far? (missing Lindy's fish report - hope she's had a good day) And still so windy at LG but some lovely evening sunshine.
EJ has just returned with a gynormous stick and proceeds to put it at the camera side of the nest, building up the fortifications. Makes one of the youngsters move out of the way to do it.
Two of them are up and preening and one has started shouting. Is Odin about to come in. EJ is bonking the one nearest the cam with her tail as she tries to move around the nest.
And off she goes again.
Oh Lindy, you are around - I just got phased when I saw how many pages and 'leaped' in at the end. Thanks for your pics.
Alan thanks for confirming ringing and blinging on Monday. I shall be on my way to Dartmoor for a few days hiking - oh well. I know they'll be some excellent post to read on my return - and pics.
Mmm- just checked your weather report Ghengsis- don’t know what to think.
Finally got your earlier fish report Lindy and thanks for that. Since I read there has been a fourth fish. Have to say, you’ve been positively sterling on the pic front. I’ve really had a treat back tracking this evening.
And DJoan, I finally ( there’s been another Odin fish delivery whilst l’ve been typing this ) found your superlative pic of the youngsters watching EJ. Just great !
Odin brings a fish. EJ not about, so he waits for a few moments then leaves it for the youngsters to deal with. Amazing to watch their education.