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
Thanks JSB. What a great site. I had a quick look and will have a bette look a bit later.
Fabulous shots jsb - brings back memories of our little family.
Great stills (think I recognise some of them!) - no time to check out videos this morning, nor to read up looking for your tasters above - look forward to exploring it later. Thanks.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
JSB thanks so much for telling us about this wonderful site. Just had a quick look at the photos and will view the videos soon. What a treat for us to be able to view this. Will look at it many times over the winter until our ospreys return.
I found it quite moving that Simon King found that people in Senegal look after the ospreys. They take the view that where the ospreys are fish will be found and these is plenty for man an osprey. We could learn such a lot from this.
Margobird
Many thanks, jsb. I'm enjoying this website very much. =O)
Much of the ARKive videos are from the BBC and this is the source page.
http://www.bbcmotiongallery.com/Customer/SearchResults.aspx?searchText=osprey&type=Simple&footage=AllClipsExceptEntertainment&page=1
The videos on ARKive. with the birds singing in the background, nest building, tree branch snapping, ariel lifting of branches off the ground and the tussle with the bald eagle, raising chicks, flatfish underwater being caught, are all from the same programme that David Attenborough did this summer (not sure of the date), possibly a repeat. But the clips are edited and without his commentary. The name of the programme escapes me, 'The Life of Birds' does not seem right, someone on the blog will no doubt remember. (oops, see edit below) It was on the North East coast of Canada, possibly Newfoundland. It may have a mention on the RSPB archives of LG Diary. Once the programme is identified, we may find that DVDs are available for various region codes, should anyone be interested, in making a purchase.
edit: It was called 'Life on Earth'.
Ian Fulton's photo gallery of Scottish ospreys.
http://www.pbase.com/ianfulton/osprey
Spain osprey news.
http://www.iberianature.com/material/spain_osprey.htm
Thanks JSB for another interesting link. Amazing they have managed to hand rear chicks.
Osprey breeds in Spain - Iberia Nature.
http://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/2009/06/osprey-breeds-in-spain/