I am not sure if we should have separate threads for Rothes and Mallachie. If people feel we should the best start them right away.
The first data has been published on Google Earth and immediately it is amazing how much further Rothes has flown that Mallachie.
Tiger Signature
I was concerned again, with Rothes' latest position a half a mile from the penultiate, in an area that looks on GE to be barren. There is a UN base 17 miles to the NNE and a road. Searching for some answers I found this, which talks of migratory birds and a wadi, not far from the base. See the entry for 1st May 2010. However Rothes switching of direction is unclear, maybe she is just exploring the African continent, after her long stay on the island. Maybe it is not her intention to migrate north this year. Also she may be with other ospreys?
http://www.freewebs.com/canarybirder/westernsaharamay2010.htm
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site
Sat track schedule Spring 2014
LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies
JSB: I find it all a bit baffling and not at all what I expected from such a young and strong bird. I expected her to drive northwards strongly but she just seems to be roaming about the desert. Maybe she is searching for landmarks from her journey south or maybe her migratory instinct is not quite strong enough to return this year. These birds continue to surprise us so we shall just have to wait for the next lot of fixes.
I am so confused and have kept quiet, waiting for one of you to come up wih an answer that I can't think of. I am still worried.
This is Rothes losing her 2009 track, which she had been following very closely for a short distance. Later, on 28th May she crosses it, but at an angle, which may present a different view, to her and with our doubts about the weather, she missed it. The proximity of the tracks could be purely a coincidence.
At the bottom of the image 2009 is on the right. 2011 intersects then diverges to the right.
It still looks as if we shall have to wait and see - this is I suppose, why the satellite trackers are so useful.
Rothes is causing me as more anxiety as a strong young osprey on her first migration north than she did on her first early migration south. Aargh! What is she doing in the wilderness? Perhaps her youthful reserves give her confidence to go where no osprey may have gone before...How has Roy managed to stay sane?
I agree, Emma. I am biting my nails!!!!
She is a strong girl Valc. We will just have to be hopeful and have confidence in her but I am biting my nails too...
Maybe Alan is on to something. Maybe she is just exploring and has no intention of migrating North this year . We will have to wait and see
Formerly known as Barbara Jean
So Rothes has been in the desert for 17 days now. That must be something of a record for a migrating osprey. I know she had been to the ocean and presumably has fed. We have not seen a tracked osprey behave like this before.