It starts tomorrow morning and you can have a ringside seat.
If one wants to follow their journey to Ireland on flightradar24: the flight number is FTL 742 scheduled for Thursday 27 July, at 12:00 noon BST from Trondheim airport Værnes (TRD) to Kerry airport Farranfore (KIR) arriving about 4pm.
Tiger Signature
It can be done. See www.zen88810.zen.co.uk/.../BirdS11.htm
Africa sticks out a lot.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
I have been in touch with a gentleman who posts on two private FB groups, Gregorius Joris Toonen. He has been very much involved in the Norwegian side of the project. With his permission I can pass on information he has given me and quote from Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) and UK Ospreys FB groups. I am most grateful to Gregorius Joris Toonen for his permission.
He gave me two links which give some information here and here. I did try emailing the address given for The Eco Restoration Trust, but it bounced - no such address - no idea why.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is the Irish lead in this project, and GJT expects them to issue a Press Release in the near future. He has recently spoken to someone from the organisation and "mentioned the huge interest in this project, and urged them to reach out to the general public." GJT learned that the Irish NPWS is working on a FB page dedicated to the project, and more info will be available on the NPWS website.
It is planned to send 6-12 chicks each year, over five years. 2023 was the first year, with ten chicks being sent out. Five were definitely males, four were females and one uncertain, but likely to be male. As we know, they travelled from Trondheim in a small plane which they had to themselves and one other person who accompanied them. They had stayed overnight in a pen 2 km away from Trondheim airport, which was close enough, but would avoid the noise and bustle, and to be ready when the plane was due to depart. When they landed in Kerry they were driven to the site from where they will be released in a couple of weeks' time.
Once in Ireland the chicks were given their bling. They will be wearing blue Darvics on the right leg, the same as in England and Wales and a metal ring on the left.
We will hear from the NPWS when they release their press release, and to hear news of the new FB page. I am most grateful to Gregorius Joris Toonen for the background information, and wish him well for the project from Norway's point of view, where his "main task is/was to survey nests and point out suitable nests with potential donor osplets."
Exciting times ahead for the creation of a new dynasty!
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/