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
Jukka is wearing Pete's old GPS transmitter. Also some new information about nocturnal migration, whereby a mission is started in the dark. Also a summary of the entire trip.
http://www.packagingessentials.com/2009/11/27/upm-finnish-museum-of-natural-history-and-osprey-foundation-are-following-the-life-of-jukka-the-osprey/
Thanks JSB, very interesting. He must have liked that fish farm in Poland:)
jsb said: Spain osprey news. http://www.iberianature.com/material/spain_osprey.htm
Spain osprey news.
http://www.iberianature.com/material/spain_osprey.htm
This is a fascinating report. I had not realised just how many ospreys had been translocated. It is a pity that we do not have any reports of the Spanish ospreys being tracked. It would be interesting to see if the different birds from Scotland, Sweden and Germany migrate to different places.
Tiger Signature
Hello.Just had a look at some of the links. The only word I can think of is magnificant. It's so easy to realise why so many people love these magnificant creatures.Paul.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
For reference, a summary of Scottish Osprey history.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/birdsofprey/Scotland39s-Ospreys-50-years-of.5359501.jp
Thanks for the link jsb. Having read most of Roy Dennis book I think this article is an accurate precis.
FAB
A press report of either the same or different osprey(s) settling in south-west France, sighted recently. Recent sightings reported by Faune-Aquitaine members in this area and posted on LG blogs by others.
Le marais d'Orx.
"One specimen, however, frequent visitor to the marsh for two or three years. "We do not yet know if this is the same, but we see one from time to time perched on a pole in the middle of the water or on a promontory."
http://www.sudouest.com/landes/actualite/article/819740/mil/5537184.html
Thanks jsb. I particularly liked the reference to the mask of Zorro in the article.
Alan, yes, but I resisted the temptation to change my avatar to Zorro, but will another member be tempted I wonder, as you say it's quite appropriate.
A migrating (presumably not nesting) osprey in Shetland during April 2009. I am not aware of any mention of ospreys in this area on the blogs, so far. A sharp right turn required for Scandinavia!
"Notable migrants in April included stock dove, ring ouzel, black redstart, swallow, house martin and goldfinch. There were also hawfinches at Unst, Whalsay and Cunningsburgh, and a hoopoe in Whalsay on the 10th. On the 9th there was a common crane at Lambaness in Unst and, towards the end of the month, an osprey and a marsh harrier were recorded on the island, while there was a summer-plumaged white-billed diver in Bluemull Sound."
http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2010/01/08/white-tailed-eagle-was-one-of-many-notable-wildlife-visitors