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.
Was worried when B&B (Thanks) notified me of a new blog on a Satuday, so was delighted to hear that Caledonia is still frequenting her old haunts, that has made my day.
Long may she stay safe in her finca on the Costa lol..
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
I am still curious as to why Caledonia seems to have settled in Spain and no other LG youngsters have. Blue XD wintered where Alba was when he was tracked so different Genes this year does not stack up.
Maybe EJ winters in Spain or maybe just an opportunist Caledonia. I am fascinated by Caledonia.
Mary :)
I would be very interested to see what Roy Dennis and people think as this really fascinates me
We will never know B&B why she has decided to stop, as I said maybe we are reading too much into this fact, she could just have decided to stay in Spain because she has found a good fishing area, good roosting spots without any hazards, or she is simply a clever Osprey LOL.... long may she stay there and stay SAFE!!!
I am intrigued and no logical reason but no matter what it is wonderful news and long may Caledonia stay and stay safe.
It is as if Caledonia stopped in the first place that had sunshine - an unheard of in the place of her birth. Warm conditions and plentiful supply of fish seem to have satisfied her without the predators, drought and scorching temperatures in Africa not mention the 3000 miles that she would have had to fly to get there. I wonder if she will therefore move north or south come spring time. I think 1 year olds have been spotted back in their birth countries.
I have only known three juveniles to overwinter on the Iberian peninsula.
There was 06 (01) from Rutland who did not obey any of the rules.
Then the famous SSK but she had a severe fright over the Atlantic in September 2002.
There was a French osprey called Tom who stayed in Portugal. Not sure what became of him eventually.
So Caledonia is the fourth juvenile that I know definitely stayed on the Iberian peninsula.
Of course there is Green J and Beatrice (green 5B) who probably stayed on the Iberian peninsula.
There has also been a ringing programming of birds overwintering in Spain. I am sure there is a picture of one in Life of Ospreys but I do not have the reference immediately to hand.
This is how the confusion about Baldrick arose and this one has never been sorted out.
Not sure why Loch Garten never says anything about these things. Maybe more people need to as.
Tiger Signature
On page 171 "Life of Ospreys" by Roy Dennis he says that in 2002 they had identified 33 ospreys overwintering in Spain.
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.
Mary Im really happy that Caledonia seems to be staying in Spain she must have found an ideal place with plenty of fishing! Ithink she is a clever osprey!
Hazel b 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.