Satellite Tracked Ospreys - Aug 2010-Feb 2011

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  • Thanks jsb, very interesting: Your post got me thinking about the "trigger" that prompts a juvenile to start their first migration. I hadn't really considered that the first time it reaches such altitudes may play a part in some way. With satellite tracked birds we could find out whether or not it is common for the juveniles to soar before they begin their migrations.

    As you know the data that is received from the tracking devices is not routinely published in its raw form, but is usually presented in purely geographical terms, via a map or on Google Earth. Each hourly data stream does contain details of altitude and speed but these aren't generally reported - especially prior to migration. I'd certainly be interested in seeing the raw data in order to see if these things are happening or not.

    The problem, however, is the fact that a signal is received only once every hour. I've often witnessed adults soar out of sight of even the best binoculars, when the conditions are right, within a few short minutes - and descend just as quickly. If this happened between data downloads then this movement would not be picked up by the satellite tracking at all. 

    I've been looking into some of the aspects of bird migration and there is recent research suggesting that migratory birds really do see the magnetic fields of the Earth. Maybe it is the simple fact that soaring to these higher altitudes for the first time allows the bird to properly sense these fields (because of the effects of perspective) and that itself is the trigger.

    Of course, even if there is a scintilla of truth in any of this we then need to find out what "triggers" the bird to soar really high in the first place!

     

  • sandy said:

    I've been looking into some of the aspects of bird migration and there is recent research suggesting that migratory birds really do see the magnetic fields of the Earth. Maybe it is the simple fact that soaring to these higher altitudes for the first time allows the bird to properly sense these fields (because of the effects of perspective) and that itself is the trigger.

    Sandy/jsb: I happened across this article some time ago on Science Daily and had saved the link.

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070926140836.htm

    You may find it interesting.

  • Alan, thanks for update on Bassenthwaite.  Have picked up the link and also asked for one on the Weekly Chat.  Don't need it now as I can refer to the link you gave.  Thanks.

    Glad to hear that Ospreys near and far are making it to their wintering grounds.

  • Rothes leaving LG last year.



    -3.68667,57.24517,249 -3.68617,57.23017,0 -3.76517,57.13933,515 -4.00400,57.04667,614
     -4.22750,56.87267,851
     -4.37583,56.66900,788 -4.52567,56.49333,848 -4.71600,56.32217,237 -4.63883,56.10333,539
     -4.60350,55.99000,156 -4.60450,55.99583,140 -4.60450,55.99583,141 -4.60450,55.99583,159
     -4.60450,55.99583,137 -4.60450,55.99583,148 -4.60400,55.99100,195


    Sandy: This kml file data is difficult to manipulate onto the blog. It shows Rothes dodging around
    the LG nest, then  on the ground at 0 altitude, then lifting off on her way to 851
    metres, before she
    decends again, away from LG.

    I guess you know all about KML files, which seem to be based on more comprehensive data
    from the satellite,  judging by comments made by Roy Dennis sometimes.

    I do not know how the RSPB website formatter will display this post, here goes.

    ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site

    Sat track schedule Spring 2014

    LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies

  • IF YOU CLICK REPLY THE ABOVE READS A BIT BETTER.

    I cannot delete it now, but can edit it out, if it is causing a problem.

    ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site

    Sat track schedule Spring 2014

    LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies

  • sandy said:

    Update from Bassenthwaite, 12 is in France!:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ospreywatch/

    . . . And 11 is in Portugal!!!!

    [/quote]

     

     

    Sandy Thanks for the above, 11 certainly got a move on and at least 12 has crossed the Channel safely.

    Margobird

  • Update from Roy:

    "30th August. Rothiemurchus remains in Senegal marshes; Beatrice settled in her winter quarters in Spain"

  • Unknown said:

    I've been looking into some of the aspects of bird migration and there is recent research suggesting that migratory birds really do see the magnetic fields of the Earth. Maybe it is the simple fact that soaring to these higher altitudes for the first time allows the bird to properly sense these fields (because of the effects of perspective) and that itself is the trigger.

    Sandy/jsb: I happened across this article some time ago on Science Daily and had saved the link.

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070926140836.htm

    You may find it interesting.

    [/quote]

    Thank you very much Diane for that link - yes that is the research that I was referring to! I didn't read that particular article but I stumbled across the original paper whilst doing some in-depth research on the matter (ie. Googling!).

    The experiment in question wasn't carried out on ospreys and we have to be circumspect in assuming that this holds true for all bird species as it is believed that they all attained migratory instincts independently (and would not, therefore, have necessarily developed the same techniques for migrating).

    It's a fascinating subject and is deserving of further discussion on here at some point, probably on a separate thread, as this one should remain as a record of actual migrations that are currently taking place or are about to start.

  • Yes I agree we should keep this thread for reporting on the progress of the migrations. There's also been a  heated discussion about the pros and cons of tracking in the current blog comments, and if anyone brings that over to the Forum (which I am not suggesting), I think we should insist that it takes place in a separate thread.  

    Rob Bierregaard has updated on Penelope, the 2 yo female who has been checking out New England - she's started back south.  http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/Bierregaard/maps%202010/Penelope-2010.htm 

  • Sue C - yes let's keep this excellent thread free of the controversy.  I'm really enjoying reading about the paths of the Ospreys, especially as we are lacking the tracking from LG this year.  Thanks to all.

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