This thread has been set up to follow the travels of Caledonia and Alba, the young ospreys raised at Loch Garten in 2012.
Their mother is “EJ”, the resident female at Loch Garten since 2003; there is some doubt about the identity of their biological father, given EJ’s dalliance with a male from a neighbouring nest, Blue XD, both before and after the return of her regular partner Odin, who raised them.
Caledonia hatched on 16th May and Alba on 18th May; they both fledged on 14th July.
This is a link to the Loch Garten blog describing the ringing and satellite tagging.
Caledonia’s ring is Blue/White AA1, reading downwards. Alba’s is Blue/White AA2, reading upwards.
Following the tracking
This page gives a quick overview of the routes on a map, which will be more useful once they start migrating.
If you want to look at the routes in more detail on Google Earth, this page contains instructions on setting up your PC to do this.
This blog contains some useful information about how the tracking works – we are now on a 3-day reporting period.
Unknown said: On page 172 of same book there is a picture of one of these birds being given a yellow ring. Interestingly it was a Scottish bird from 1999.
On page 172 of same book there is a picture of one of these birds being given a yellow ring.
Interestingly it was a Scottish bird from 1999.
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That seems correct. Apparently it had BTO ring 1351697 but no mention if it had a Darvic ring from Scotland.
The picture is consistent with the ring fitted in Spain being Yellow/black 0U He had a weight of 2200g. A real big bird and surely a female although Roy says male on the picture.
Tiger Signature
It's interesting at this point to go back to the film Roy Dennis made for Autumnwatch in 2011, of his visit to Beatrice's wintering site on the Guadiaro.
Firstly, Roy puts forward the theory that Beatrice stayed in Spain because she had had a very difficult migration up to that point and was exhausted - perhaps he was thinking of SSK? But we now know that wasn't the case with Caledonia - she had a shortish Channel crossing and spent a week travelling down through France & Spain, taking a look at various rivers & lakes on the way, if not actually fishing. In short, I think that if Roy doesn't currently know why some juveniles opt to stay in S. Europe, then no-one knows.
Also, if you look at Beatrice's wintering site below, there are a lot of similarities with Caledonia's roost on the Huelva:
River bends, which slow down the current, near a confluence = good fishing?
Waterside trees to roost in; Roy's film, and photos I've looked at of Caley's area, suggest they may be predominantly two water-loving species; willow, and eucalyptus, an introduced tree which is quite common beside rivers in Spain/Portugal and has the advantage of being evergreen.
The main human activity in both areas is growing fruit = no possible conflict of interest with ospreys.
I have watched that film several times before of the sighting of Beatrice, watched it again and it's still a joy to see. I guess we will never really understand the mind of an Osprey, but for now Caledonia has decided that Seville and the Rivers around it are the ideal spot for her, I think it is very exciting to think of a LG tracked juvenile overwintering in Spain.
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
There is a paper here which discusses the factors affecting migration. I am sure there was another one discussing what triggers migration but some some reason I have not seen that one for some time.
[/quote]I am not sure what to make of this but when I was at Aberfoyle last year in May, I was told a Spanish Osprey was on the nest briefly at the start of the season. I never asked the ring no but maybe they were referring to Yellow OU? Also has the ring no been published of the Green ringed female who's chicks TN & TM fledged this year ? Only a thought but maybe way off with Yellow OU
B & B - You are correct - In 2011 Yellow OU was on the nest at Aberfoyle with Green DX (Male). Only briefly as when your friend Metal Ringed male arrived at the nest both green DX and Yellow OU scarpered (April 2011).
Later that year I received an e mail from Aberfoyle when asking them if Yellow OU had been spotted again that year.
Usually ospreys that have been dislodged, end up floating around the Trossachs for the rest of the season before heading back to West Africa. Although we know that Yellow OU winters in Southern Spain.
I still do not have an ID on the Green Ringed Female at Nest 3 - Aberfoyle.
They say she was a 2004 bird.
Well whoever she was did well with both Tony and Tia Maria fledging.
Anyone hearing of the ring number let us know. I am in suspense as the other Green Ringed Female hanging around for years here was Green SK (A long shot !!!!!!! and she was ringed 2002).
Well I will have moved near to this nest come Osprey return so some investigation to be done- :):):).
Keith thank you and I do believe the Spanish Osprey was Yellow OU but not certain. A mystery with the Green ringed female? How can they say a 2004 bird without knowing the ring no ? so curious
Maybe move off here but I think Aberfoyle is a very interesting.
"Caledonia" and I will not tempt fate but she is a special lady
A 2004 bird should have had a yellow ring.
NEW BLOG Unconfirmed sighting of Caledonia