After Tiger started the thread for tracking Rothes and Mallachie I thought that we could do with a thread for the tracking of ospreys fitted with transmitters by Roy Dennis. As the "summer" marches on it won't be long before the only way we can get our osprey fix is to follow their migrations.
This year we have the opportunity of following all three tagged birds from last year: Nimrod, Beatrice and Morven. It will be fascinating to find out if they will winter in exactly the same place as last year, and also whether they take the same route.
Added to that Roy has tagged two more adult males this year, Red/white 8T (an Abernethy bird) and Morven's other half (Logie's ex fella). I'm not certain whether Roy has any further transmitters or will attempt to catch any more adult males but, including Rothes and Mallachie, we will be able to follow at least 7 ospreys on their incredible journeys this autumn.
Carol : Thanks for the update on Roys birds. I have updated my GE placemarks. Also got Jukka to follow now.
FAB
I've discovered, the Rutland Water Ospreys site has masses of useful info about migration and satellite tracking, including details of a previous tracking project in 1999-2001:
http://www.ospreys.org.uk/satellite.html
Also, found a pic of Talisman's current stop - I can see why he has to fly 5km to a suitable roosting tree. The Portuguese term for Osprey is Aguia Pesqueira.
http://www.avesdeportugal.info/sitroxo.html
Thanks for that info SueC. I have read the section about migrations on the Rutland Water site as I live about 20 miles from there. Reading about the satellite tracked birds makes you realise how many of them dont make it. After all the euphoria of this season it makes quite sobering reading.
Unknown said: Thanks for that info SueC. I have read the section about migrations on the Rutland Water site as I live about 20 miles from there. Reading about the satellite tracked birds makes you realise how many of them dont make it. After all the euphoria of this season it makes quite sobering reading.
Alan, I agree that the number of juveniles that don't survive to retun to these shores is alarmingly high, the BTO estimate 40%, others say 50%. Personally, I think that even these figures are on the low side if you take the record of tagged birds into account (which would suggest a much higher rate).
Given how long ospreys can live (Marge at LOTL being the prime example), and their ability to produce up to 3 healthy youngsters each season, if half of them did make it back to breed then the population would have expanded much more than it has.
I have a hunch that this has been a good year for ospreys, all the evidence would point that way, and I think that there will be an influx of returning juveniles in 2 or 3 years time. As far as "our" juveniles is concerned all I can say is so far so good!
No great moonlit flit from Nimrod this year but he's made it to Africa.
Some more background info about migration from, I think, an obsolete part of the Rutland Water site:
http://www.ospreys.org.uk/Questions/Questions%20Migration.htm
The website for Jukka the Finnish osprey has been updated. Juvenile has moved from Belarus to Poland just south of Staszow. GE has been updated. If you click on the numbered co-ordinates it gives you exact time and date of the plot and some other data. Wish we had that on UK birds.
http://www.fmnh.helsinki.fi/elainmuseo/satelliittisaakset/jukka/syksy2009.htm
Thanks for that Alan. I agree would be great to have the same for our birds.
Weather awful today has not stopped raining, still can't really complain. Have a good afternoon.
Margobird
Thanks Alan - I enjoyed seeing the line of flight at least but, of course, no time and date for me. Just empty rectangles. Sigh.
Thanks for that Alan. I seem to be checking on so many birds, I had forgotten to check GE for Jukka so thanks for the reminder. It is so much better to also receive the additional data but must be grateful for all info. I can remember being so grateful for just written reports/ no cameras in the past.