This thread is a total experiment! I thought of it because a few nights ago, a lot of of useful information about ospreys was being posted in the LG Diary comments, but because of the blog format, it will be out of sight once a new blog is posted, and easily forgotten.
The idea for this thread:
· To provide a place for people to ask questions about ospreys at Loch Garten, or ospreys in general, which members of the Forum will answer to the best of their ability. NB Questions directed to the team at Loch Garten, should still be posted in the Comments area of the Loch Garten Osprey Diary.
· To preserve the answers for future reference
Asking Questions
For clarity, please only ask one question at a time.
Replying to Questions
Try to be specific, giving links to the relevant information where possible, or quote your sources. If you are giving your own opinions, recollections or theories, please make that clear.
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General
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My view is no they don't. I think the young ospreys will watch the adults fishing but it isn't necessary.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data
When did a Loch Garten chick last catch a fish before leaving on migration? Didn't the eldest chick in 2006 supposedly catch a fish?
Tiger Signature
Carried over from the other thread (by CRinger). . .
"Sandy - A Mr. Meinertzhagan who published a paper entitled 'The education of young Ospreys' in no less a journal than Ibis would I think, if he is still alive, disagree with you. I am interested in all views. I am not saying I disagree with yours, which is contrary to the published material I have read, just interested to pick the brains of other people that like to watch, and whether they know it or not, study these amazing birds."
This jogged my memory somewhat as I recall this is disputed research. This is where I'd read it:
http://www.zen88810.zen.co.uk/ROspreys%20site/Answers%20educating.htm
There was an incident at Rutland in 2005 where an unringed female acted as a surrogate mother in feeding the translocated chicks. I know this is not quite the same as teaching them but it is behaviour which I am not sure has been seen before or since.
Wow Sandy! Great spot!!!!! Yet again members of the forum has come up trumps! I read a number of the books that basically repeated what Mr. M. had said, but, apart from Mr. M. could find no other 'first hand' sources and had never witnessed it for myself. Beacuse of this I found myself tending very much towards Chloe's view posted above. I didnt know of the link above, but it makes very interesting reading............ but Keith has his own observations which he has posted on the EJ thread that tend to support Mr. M. This is fascinating.
Some people think Ospreys are a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.
What is facinating.. as a complete novice..is not only the observed behaviour of the Ospreys. but the Knowlege that our resident experts have.
I sit back and read.. not Just here but on the EJ thred too.
Thank you All x
All for one and one for all.
Perhaps adult ospreys do 'demonstrate' fishing as Keith has observed. But as Tiger points out, not all juvenile ospreys have parents to copy ie translocated youngsters. However, there will no doubt be adults around when the juveniles practice fishing for themselves.
Jag I think there are just osprey observers here. All are learning. Even those who have observed for many years. These birds are constantly teaching us about themselves.
I wonder if chicks with parents are more successful than translocated (hacked in the USA) chicks?
ChloeB said: Perhaps adult ospreys do 'demonstrate' fishing as Keith has observed. But as Tiger points out, not all juvenile ospreys have parents to copy ie translocated youngsters. However, there will no doubt be adults around when the juveniles practice fishing for themselves.
Chloe you are very correct - I will give an account of two nests whose parents both fish at the same fishery but one directly overlooks the fishery the other is about five/six miles away.
It will take time so will get my diaries out tomorrow and post the accounts.