Continued from Osprey Chat for July 2018
Tiger Signature
If would be great to get definite news of Rothiemurchus and wonderful news of the whisperings
Some great A9 osprey pictures
Thanks Tiger for the link. I have a lot of books on ospreys but I don't remember reading about them shutting their eyes before they hit the water. Perhaps between now and next March, I'll read Tim Mackrill's PhD. I doubt he covers that kind of behaviour as the thesis is about migratory behaviour, but I'm sure it'll be an interesting read. It's freely available via Roy's site but I've given the link anyway so folk can download it if interested.
Hazel b said: When do the juveniles lose the pale tips to their feathers? Is it after they moult for the first time? If so, when does that happen?
When do the juveniles lose the pale tips to their feathers? Is it after they moult for the first time? If so, when does that happen?
I should know the answer to this but I cannot be sure.
I think it is about 18 months.
There are a number of people who now travel regularly to the Gambia to view juveniles in their winder quarters. One of them should be able to give a definite answer.
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This Paper on Birds of Prey moulting gives all the info you need, here.
The Osprey is in paragraph 6
Richard B
Thanks very much Richard. That does indeed answer my questions.
Bed time reading there Alison. Thank you Richard.
Birdies LG DU update.
Very useful, Richard. Thank you. I had been looking thru RD's well known book but may have missed the info!
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Thank you so much KORKY for the link to Tim's work I look forward to reading it properly Just reading the first small part is interesting enough
Thanks too ALISON Sounds like another good read
An amazing picture from Aviemore Facebook!
I've just read an interesting book on bird's eggs. 'The most perfect thing: inside (and outside) a bird's egg' by Tim Birkhead. He quotes a finding that light speeds up the hatching of hens' eggs (and another species studied) and a suggestion that light coloured eggs might benefit from this.
In 2011 the 2nd egg laid at Dyfi hatched before the first egg. It was idendified clearly becuase it was unusually white. Suggestive?
Hilary J