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
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General
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A question concerning young returning female Ospreys. Having watched the Rutland birds for over 12 years together with the various UK forums & webcams I’ve been aware of many of the shenanigans that go on. However with the return of 00(09) at Rutland I’ve come across a scenario that I don’t think I’ve encountered before.
00(09) has returned as a female looking to breed; she’s tried to take over an established nest & failed. With the demise of 08(97) & probable loss of AW(06)there is a shortage of experienced males; assuming the experienced females have returned to their nests what is 00(09) likely to do. I know that young males will set up a territory as 5R(04) & 32(05) did at Manton Bay & Lagoon 4 but what would a lone female do?
Hopefully some of the other young (09) males (3 returned in 2011) have returned again making this question irrelevant; but with AW’s mate likely looking for a mate from these males as well, what does a 3 year old unpaired female Osprey do?
I can't answer that Vespa, but it's something I've wondered about too.
Widowed female ospreys can, and do, inherit their own nests and carry on with a new mate - EJ, Lady of Loch Lowes, Morven, have all done so at various times. But I've only ever heard of male ospreys "holding territory" at locations which haven't been their nests before.
Regarding 00(09) she was last said to be hanging out at Lagoon 4, which is on the reserve and has a nest platform, though it has not been used to date. She will know what they are used for, I guess, and any unattached male who does turn up to claim it will be a prospective mate - though possibly also a close relative.........
Thanks Sue, interesting news about Lagoon 4; this was the location of the territory & nest held by 32(05) in 2009 where he attracted 5R(04)'s current partner. She only moved to Manton Bay & 5R after 32(05) "disappeared" at the start of 2010.
Thanks, Sue & Vespa - another interesting detail. While on the subject, I have a related gap in my notes: do either of you know if 5R settled at Manton Bay in 2009, and if so, did he attract a female that year?
If my memory serves me right 5R was in Manton Bay in 2009 but the female who is now Mrs 5R seemed to prefer hanging out with 32 (05) at the nest in Lagoon 4. I had hoped that 32 (05) would breed with said female but unfortunately 32 (05) went missing presumed shot in early 2010 so 5R took over where 32 (05) left off.
Can anyone answer the following. Does the bonding ritual between ospreys mean that they only mate on the nest, or will i.e. EJ and Odin be mating off the nest in current weather conditions
Lmac - i saw the dunedin ospreys mate on the viewing post
Whilst on duty at RW, at one of the nests on private land, I saw 32(05) and his female mating on an electricity pylon - this was in 2009. That female has since become Mrs 5R.
Thanks Lynda. I feel sure they would have been a pair if fate had not stepped in. I used to go and watch 32 (05) quite regularly when he was in Lagoon 4.
Totally agree Alan - 32(05) had his father's white chest - he was a lovely bird.