Osprey Chat Thread for June 2017

Karen and I have been discussing this and I would appreciate anyone

elses's thoughts over the matter.

Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn Wildlife - Glaslyn Ospreys.

As you may know there has been some controversy over the placing of nest platforms, in particular the Pont Croesor nest.

We would like to make it clear that the placing of platforms has been based on advice from the foremost authority on ospreys in the United Kingdom following a half a century of scientific research. The success of the approach can be seen in that there are now more than 200 osprey territories in Scotland and a growing number in England and Wales. Although BGGW did not originally put up the Pont Croesor nest, following activity that occurred on the nest last year, we adopted the nest after taking what we believed was top quality advice.

However, there is no clear, unambiguous view, it is not that simple. Naturally we will discuss and review the location of nests and platforms over the winter. To sum up: it is too late to do anything this season even if we wanted to; we are watching events that do occur in the wild and nature can appear to be cruel.

Sadly intervention is not considered to be appropriate in this c

We will probably never know what became of Odin.  My opinion is probably mortally injured attempting to defend the nest.  Meaning a change of hierarchy at Loch Garten.  I'm also surprised EJ having done her best by her chicks, hadn't or hasn't started to pair bond with any of the males in preparation for next Spring!

If the ageing EJ (now 20 years old I believe) makes it back next year, I can see more battles, suitors, intruders, battling for the nest.  Taking away the sentiment, and looking at the bigger picture, I just hope there will be chicks fledging from Loch Garten for the better good of the Scottish/UK population.  

I've visited Loch Garten annually since 2005 when I first saw EJ and Henry before I was aware of online fame and webcams etc.  It could well be the start of a new era.   On the other hand, it could be "business as usual". :)

thank you for the update on B24, good that she is still around, pity she hasn't been lucky in finding a mate this year.

For anyone, who like me, is totally confused about the set up at Glaslyn and the Pont Croesor nest, Glaslyn have posted a statement on their public FB page and I am posting here for anyone who does not access Facebook as it is very interesting and informative:-

A number of recent posts on Facebook have commented on links between BGGW and Friends of the Ospreys (FotO). The BGGW Trustees would like to make the following points to help clear up any misunderstandings:

Blue 5F arrived in the Glaslyn valley in April 2015. The Pont Croesor nest platform was erected in late 2015 in an agreement between FotO and the landowner. It is on private land adjacent to the area that is leased by BGGW. Although we were aware that there were plans to erect a nest platform nearby, we had no prior knowledge as to the precise location. BGGW has no authority to remove the nest at Pont Croesor.

Following 5F’s arrival and despite the fact that Aran had settled with Mrs G on the Glaslyn nest, he developed a “friendship” with 5F. They were frequently observed feeding together on various perches, sometimes close to the Glaslyn nest itself. Eventually 5F settled on another nest in the Glaslyn valley; Aran continued to visit. In 2016 5F returned to that nest and Aran was observed mating with her on several occasions. Shortly after she relocated to the Pont Croesor nest, where we believe she laid eggs. We were sure Aran visited her, but we did not observe any fish deliveries; the nest failed and eggs were lost. Late in the season we observed 5F with the Scottish male CX7 on the Pont Croesor nest. They were also known to have intruded the Glaslyn nest together, in a similar way to HR7 and 3J intruded the Glaslyn nest recently. At the time we were hopeful that they had established a bond and might return to breed in 2017 on the Pont Croesor nest.

The inaugural Welsh Osprey forum held in September was attended by Welsh osprey project leaders and other interested parties. Following discussions at the meeting Dr Tim Mackrill, formerly of the Rutland Osprey Project, was invited to Glaslyn to assess the positioning of the PC platform.http://www.glaslynwildlife.co.uk/…/bulletin-blue-5f-on-the…/ 
 He stated that he believed its position was not problematical. Following his advice the board of directors of BGGW made a decision to monitor it for the 2017 season and sought permission to install a camera above the nest to film the possible breeding of 5F and CX7.

We would like to clarify that there is no connection or affiliation either financially or politically between FotO and BGGW. The two organisations are separate, they always have been.

FotO are based close to the Glaslyn visitor centre and because of this they have connections with Glaslyn going back to the time ospreys first nested in the valley. It was one of the founders of that organization that first discovered ospreys breeding in the Glaslyn nest back in 2004. FotO have refurbished and built many nests over north Wales and beyond including those built for ‘Operation Jimmy’. FotO have refurbished the Glaslyn nest each year since 2014 on a voluntary basis.

The future of the Pont Croesor nest will be discussed and reviewed during the Autumn and Winter 2017/18 in consultation with various interested agencies and ecologists. Once a decision is made this will be published on the BGGW website.

And here is the link to the FB post should any wish to read the comments >>>  FB Comments Link 

Thank you Karen. Essential reading for all.

Karen W said:

For anyone, who like me, is totally confused about the set up at Glaslyn and the Pont Croesor nest, Glaslyn have posted a statement on their public FB page and I am posting here for anyone who does not access Facebook as it is very interesting and informative:-

A number of recent posts on Facebook have commented on links between BGGW and Friends of the Ospreys (FotO). The BGGW Trustees would like to make the following points to help clear up any misunderstandings:

Blue 5F arrived in the Glaslyn valley in April 2015. The Pont Croesor nest platform was erected in late 2015 in an agreement between FotO and the landowner. It is on private land adjacent to the area that is leased by BGGW. Although we were aware that there were plans to erect a nest platform nearby, we had no prior knowledge as to the precise location. BGGW has no authority to remove the nest at Pont Croesor.

Following 5F’s arrival and despite the fact that Aran had settled with Mrs G on the Glaslyn nest, he developed a “friendship” with 5F. They were frequently observed feeding together on various perches, sometimes close to the Glaslyn nest itself. Eventually 5F settled on another nest in the Glaslyn valley; Aran continued to visit. In 2016 5F returned to that nest and Aran was observed mating with her on several occasions. Shortly after she relocated to the Pont Croesor nest, where we believe she laid eggs. We were sure Aran visited her, but we did not observe any fish deliveries; the nest failed and eggs were lost. Late in the season we observed 5F with the Scottish male CX7 on the Pont Croesor nest. They were also known to have intruded the Glaslyn nest together, in a similar way to HR7 and 3J intruded the Glaslyn nest recently. At the time we were hopeful that they had established a bond and might return to breed in 2017 on the Pont Croesor nest.

The inaugural Welsh Osprey forum held in September was attended by Welsh osprey project leaders and other interested parties. Following discussions at the meeting Dr Tim Mackrill, formerly of the Rutland Osprey Project, was invited to Glaslyn to assess the positioning of the PC platform.http://www.glaslynwildlife.co.uk/…/bulletin-blue-5f-on-the…/ 
 He stated that he believed its position was not problematical. Following his advice the board of directors of BGGW made a decision to monitor it for the 2017 season and sought permission to install a camera above the nest to film the possible breeding of 5F and CX7.

We would like to clarify that there is no connection or affiliation either financially or politically between FotO and BGGW. The two organisations are separate, they always have been.

FotO are based close to the Glaslyn visitor centre and because of this they have connections with Glaslyn going back to the time ospreys first nested in the valley. It was one of the founders of that organization that first discovered ospreys breeding in the Glaslyn nest back in 2004. FotO have refurbished and built many nests over north Wales and beyond including those built for ‘Operation Jimmy’. FotO have refurbished the Glaslyn nest each year since 2014 on a voluntary basis.

The future of the Pont Croesor nest will be discussed and reviewed during the Autumn and Winter 2017/18 in consultation with various interested agencies and ecologists. Once a decision is made this will be published on the BGGW website.

And here is the link to the FB post should any wish to read the comments >>>  FB Comments Link 

Thank you for posting this Karen.  It certainly has cleared up a few points and as Mike says, essential reading for all.

Thank you Tiger.  I spotted Tim's thesis y'day and I have downloaded, but not yet read properly.  I am sure it will make interesting reading.

Whether is it Tim's input or not I don't know, but the site did need an overhaul, and now I see that RD is tweeting, and has updated his blog which makes positive reading, given the dreadful weather which has recently passed over us.

Thanks for the blog link SHEILA Good old Morven Nice to hear of her

Thanks, Tiger and Sheila, for the links.