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.
If the question you are answering is not the last post in the thread, please use the Quote facility to include the question in your answer.
General
To make it easier to search for the topic in the future, use the Tags field. For example, if your question is “Is Odin really Scandinavian?” enter “Odin” in Tags.
Enjoy reading this thread, its has a lot of interesting information.
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
CRinger, Thank you so much for starting this fascinating topic. It throws doubt on birds' parentage records and I have been educated about when an egg is possibly fertilized. Now waiting to see when EJ lays her first egg and Odin's reaction. I accept and understand that an osprey, like XD need their genes to carry on but what makes a female, like EJ, throw out XD when she sees her regular partner return. Is it just that she knows, from experience, that he will provide for her and her young. Thinking of EJ and OVS ( 2008) that can't have been true.
Brenda H,
I don't think OVS had any rivals in 2008 though. In previous years at LG, he had paired up with EJ early on, only to be kicked out - in 2004, 2006 and 2007 by Henry, in 2005 by Red 8T who in turn was evicted by Henry.
Henry obviously survived his harrowing migration that year but can anyone tell me how he rid himself of the oil on his wings
As I remember it, the oil was mainly on his legs, and one leg in particular was worse than the other. I seem to recall some brown marks, possibly oil, on his chest, but can't recall much on his wings. This suggests to me that he may well have been blown out to sea and spotted a ship and taken refuge from the storm by perching on the ship - something I believe Ospreys have been recorded as doing previously.
I think images at the time showed the oil gradually disappearing. This was probably as a result of preening, but also its possible that the fish oils exuded onto his feet while he was eating may have assisted in the gradual removal of oil from his feet - as well as plunging into water to catch fish each day. That seems to me to be the most logical explanation for the gradual disappearance of the oil.
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.
I am very grateful to you CRINGER. Thanks
Thanks CRinger for another informative post. I remember reading that an Osprey was found on Board Cunard Line's Queen Victoria in April last year, between Bermuda and the USA. They named him Albert. Just shows how Ospreys have discerning tastes.
Courtesy & Copyright of Cunard Line.
The story is here, but you have to scroll half way down the page to find it.
It was really worth scrolling down to read that - what a wonderful story! I'm glad Albert found such a good landing and what lovely people to look after him so well.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Unknown said: It was really worth scrolling down to read that - what a wonderful story! I'm glad Albert found such a good landing and what lovely people to look after him so well.
Thanks Clare, I thought so too, was so lovely how the deck crew were so proud of Albert.
I remember the story of Albert last year - let's hope he's just returning from migration now and well set up with a mate.
IMAGICAT