This new forum is intended to help us look at the world though the eyes of the ospreys. I was moved, as I am sure many others were too, by the BBC Autumnwatch programme last week to consider what Simon King said about the lessons we could learn from the fact that these birds have to be protected in Europe, having been rescued and re-introduced, for example in the UK, where they have to be guarded or kept secret, compared to Senegal, where they happily co-exist with the village fishermen and their families. We protect the birds because of our desire to preserve their natural beauty and to maintain and foster our love of nature and the countryside, wheras in West Africa the birds are part of the landscape, community and even part of the fishing economy.
Simon said, how we marvel at the migration journey that they make, which is of course true. But he felt that from an osprey's perspective, fishing off the coast of Senegal, or flying across an English town or meadow, is just part of their world. Our theory of 'magnetic mapping' that we think they may have, is just an enhanced add-on, probably to their vision, that in us humans has not been as well developed. (That's my theory, not his.)
The following website which I take no credit for, is new to me and will be the same for most others I suspect, is truly fantastic and one of the best I have seen, if not the best. There are pictures, a slideshow and even videos which are all of the highest quality, in both content and technically. It is called ARKive and I have given the link to the osprey page.
I once asked if ospreys build nests in Africa, because they do not need them to raise a family? Find out if they do.
How do they roost in the desert, in what, on what?
About raising a family - wrong - what about these nice mangroves, as a nursery? With fish swimming about in the water below.
I won't tease you any more, just enjoy........
http://www.arkive.org/osprey/pandion-haliaetus/
N.B. The above website is covered by copyright.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site
Sat track schedule Spring 2014
LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies
jsb said: Wattie 15: Yes, I am sure your point is valid, almost like a sub-species that have evolved without the need to migrate. In places like East Africa/Middle East, or in Florida too, I think I recall semi resident populations. Here is a NASA photo taken in Florida yesterday of an Osprey 'family'...... I was following some Central American ospreys last year and recall that some did not travel very far north to breed. The NASA photo of a family would indicate that mating/breeding must have taken place very early this year. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1663.html
Wattie 15: Yes, I am sure your point is valid, almost like a sub-species that have evolved without the need to migrate. In places like East Africa/Middle East, or in Florida too, I think I recall semi resident populations. Here is a NASA photo taken in Florida yesterday of an Osprey 'family'...... I was following some Central American ospreys last year and recall that some did not travel very far north to breed.
The NASA photo of a family would indicate that mating/breeding must have taken place very early this year.
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1663.html
This confirms that Florida's Ospreys are year round inhabitants, also on the North American, west coast.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/lifehistory
Press round-up of stories, hopefully not covered elsewhere on Community blogs.
Today, Orlando - Sparky the Osprey.
Leesburg officials create new home for osprey after nest caused two electric outages.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/os-leesburg-osprey-nest-20100518,0,1294749.story
Monday 17th. Minneapolis.
Osprey nest delays repairs along Minn. highway
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=851122&catid=391
Also
http://www.startribune.com/local/west/93638264.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
Saturday 15th. Bellevue.
Osprey return to relocated nest in Bellevue
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/news/93801014.html
http://blogs.pnwlocalnews.com/focusnorthwest/osprey-return-bellevue/697/
Friday 14th.Interlake.
Penthouse digs for osprey
http://www.interlakespectator.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2577705
Just logged on again and picked up this thread that you started. Really interesting and I'll certainly look at the first website mentioned (ARKive) and try to look at those list above this post.
Lets hope we all benefit from this new thread, I'm sure we will, particularly, like me, I am a novice at watching birds.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Copy of Daily Chat post.
The story of being a chick in an egg and how to get out! By an eggspert...Ouch!
Whooping Crane details.
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/crane/VisualizeEgg.html