I offered yesterday to start a new Topic once Bynack had fledged, but as we now have the updated Satellite Tracking page, and biography pages for Tore and Bynack, and there are some tracking results for Tore on Google Earth, I’ve gone ahead with it.
A brief introduction to the ospreys we’re tracking – first, the class of 2011.
Tore – link to her Biography
Tore is the elder of this year’s juveniles, her ring is blue/white 48. She fledged on Tuesday 12th July aged 54 days, and has started to do a little exploring.
Bynack – link to his Biography
Tore’s younger brother, ring blue/white 47. Bynack is aged 53 days today and has yet to fledge.
Edit: He has fledged, at 10.18 am today 16/7.
Rothes – link to her Biography
Rothes is the eldest of EJ and Odin’s offspring, hatched at Loch Garten in 2009. Her ring is white/black PJ. She migrated as a juvenile to Guinea-Bissau, and spent her formative months on the small island of Unhocomozinho, in the Bijagos Archipelago. Now a sub-adult, she has travelled north to Europe for the first time this summer and is currently in the Gironde estuary in SW France, where she also spent 6 weeks on her way south in 2009. So far, she has not returned to the UK.
Rothes' earlier travels were followed in this thread, now closed.
Thanks for the pictures SueC If the "tatty Osprey" can fly with so many feathers in poor condition, Rothes with just ONE bad wing feather should be able to fly without any problems. :)
Formerly known as Barbara Jean
Thanks for those pics, Sue. I didn't comment about the feather damage to Rothes when the photos were first posted as, like you, I wasn't sure whether two year olds go through a moult at this time of year. I am, however, convinced that this minor feather loss would have little or no effect on Rothes' flying ability.
More importantly, in my opinion, the photos show that the transmitter is still firmly in place. I assume that up until now it has been working perfectly (no indication from LG that it hasn't). The weather in the south of France has been even more glorious than here, so the solar panel should be getting fully charged, especially if Rothes is actively migrating, rather than sitting in a tree most of the day.
All in all there seems little reason why there should suddenly be a problem with the signals received from the transmitter and, unless it is a temporary and unexplained blip, then the prognosis isn't good. Let's hope that the next update at least sheds some light on the problem.
New blog from Richard, with an explanation about Rothes tracker.
The best bit for me,
"It is though, good news on this year's youngsters Tore and Bynack who are both doing very well. Tore has worked on down through Mauritania and roosted about 150 miles from the southern border. Bynack is about 30 miles west of Toulouse and about 45 miles north of the Spanish border."
Loch Garten stats. and All the important links for LG.
Looking on the bright side, there's no doubt of Rothes' preferred stop-over site. If the tag doesn't recover, we'll just need to arrange for a relay of osprey fans to holiday in the Gironde area next spring around migration season...
3 years ago today (30/9/08) we lost Deshar :-(
A very old Shropshire Lad.
It is disappointing that Rothes tag has malfunctioned after 2 years but it does seem the most likely scenario given the information provided by Richard. Bynack is obviously going to cross into Spain towards the east but that is not a bad thing and Tore is almost there.
I cannot find more recent news from Richard ALAN. so are you refering to the most current Blog page 1 ?
Good news about Bynack but how do you know that, My GE is not showing that ?
Sorry, don't mean this to be an interrogation. :)
There is a new blog here
THANKS ALAN
Having checked Bynacks direction it appears that he may cross the Pyrenees towards the west after all. Maybe over one of the watchpoints. It is amazing how he has corrected his direction after a lengthy stopover.