For years people have been asking when the next British osprey translocation will happen, it being over 20 years since the one at Rutland began.
On 20th June 2017 we finally got to know that it is to be to Poole Harbour and what exciting news that was. To complement this Roy Dennis has also opened a new Facebook page called Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation
They are looking for 200 people to become conservation champions for a minimum donation of £250 each. All donations are welcome.
The project is a partnership between the Foundation, local charity Birds of Poole Harbour, and Poole based-business Wildlife Windows and is part of a wider conservation recovery plan of osprey in Western Europe and the Mediterranean region which was recently commissioned by the Council of Europe and authored by Roy Dennis.
This is such exciting news that will keep people interested for the rest of our lives.
Tiger Signature
Lynn L said: Only found and read this post in full today. Very interesting indeed, I hope they continue to do well and get themselves fit to fly when the time comes. Who knows where they will end up. I would like to ask, did these chicks come from nests with both or single patents still with them and how would taking the chicks affect the adults, after they had reared them?
Only found and read this post in full today. Very interesting indeed, I hope they continue to do well and get themselves fit to fly when the time comes. Who knows where they will end up. I would like to ask, did these chicks come from nests with both or single patents still with them and how would taking the chicks affect the adults, after they had reared them?
They normally come from nests that have two parents. Taking chicks from the nests actually help the nests as there is more food to go round. Indeed taking chicks can save the lives of some of the chicks as otherwise they would starve to death.
See Osprey Translocations
There is also a more general translocation thread at Osprey Translocation and Conservation Projects
I have also put that link in post 2 of this threadcan be found using the Loch Garten Group Navigation tool
Another update has appeared this morning.
"Harbour Update - posted 22/07/17
As of this morning there are now 3 Osprey chicks perched up in their pens with more to surely follow in the coming days. LS6 has joined LS0 and LS1 in being part of the hierarchy as they look down on their fellow ‘pen partners’ from above. Each of the 8 Osprey chicks are still feeding brilliantly and their plumages are looking fresh and perfect and we can’t wait for the moment we’re finally able to open the pens where each bird will become a true asset to the harbour. In the mean time our volunteers continue to work hard in monitoring and feeding the birds and we can’t thank them enough….they’ve done a truly sterling job. "
Things look good and Tim is due there this week.
Birdies LG DU update.
Lynn L said: did these chicks come from nests with both or single patents still with them and how would taking the chicks affect the adults, after they had reared them?
Normally one chick is taken from a nest where there are 2 or 3 youngsters. The parents will continue to rear the remaining chick(s). It is not uncommon for them to lose chicks in the nest or soon after fledging.
In 2005 when there was a translocation of mainly female chicks to Rutland three chicks from 2 nests that had lost parent(s) were included.
Hilary J
Thanks Tiger and Hilary, this is very interesting, I will be following to see how they get on, and where they eventually stay.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Last nights update from Poole Harbour.
"In Other (we mean Osprey) news, all pretty much the same at the moment with the birds happily gazing out across Poole Harbour whilst being fed plenty of the best local fish possible. All are now really strong in the wing and we estimate 5-6 days before all are perched up on their perching bars at the front of their pens ready to be released. We’re beginning to look at long-term weather forecasts so we can give our birds the best possible chances upon release. Foul weather and wind is a big no-no, so we’re looking for a decent gap in the weather for when we open the pens, and fortunately its not looking too bad in the near future!"
Thanks MIKE
Hazel b said:Indeed taking chicks can save the lives of some of the chicks as otherwise they would starve to death.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Clare Bailey said: Indeed taking chicks can save the lives of some of the chicks as otherwise they would starve to death. Didn't that happen with two of Orange VS's chicks when his mate died (or disappeared?)? [/quote] Yes that is true See Rutland Translocation Tiger Signature
Indeed taking chicks can save the lives of some of the chicks as otherwise they would starve to death.
[/quote]
Yes that is true
See Rutland Translocation
Update from Poole.
"Osprey Translocation Update
We now have up to five of the chicks using the perching bars at the front of the pens with LS2 having a bit of a go today too but then promptly flapped and fell off. Not a bad effort, but must try harder! We were testing out the tiny tail mounted tracking tags today too which we’ll be fitting to the birds in the coming days ready for when they’re released. Being able to locate, monitor and track the birds after they’ve been released is essential and these tiny receivers will allow us to know roughly at anyone time which direction each bird is and close they are. They will only allow us to track the birds whilst they’re in the harbour and once they leave we’ll lose signal and the tags will moult out with the feathers in several weeks. We’re also beginning to up the size of fish pieces the birds are getting as each now seems to be using their talons to tear bits of meat to eat, rather than eating the smaller chunks we’ve been providing. The plan is to get them seeing and eating larger pieces now to the point we can just place out whole fish for them to enjoy. They don’t even know how lucky they are! "