The Ospreys are back !!

Just  found  this  "Orphaned"  post  of  mine  from  2 years  ago  and  it  is  just  about  the  right  time  to  resuscitate  it.

The  ospreys  will  be  preparing  to  leave  West  Africa  ( Senegal  area)  or  even  the  south west  of  Iberia  after,  hopefully,  a  winter  fattening  up   for  the  breeding  season  in  Northern  &  western  Europe  !  Keep  your  koi carps  protected  folks  but  enjoy  the  magnificent  sight  of  Ospreys  fishing  when  they  arrive  !!

B

On Wednesday we were 'bird-watching' down at the Etang at Leucate in the Aude region of France, and saw two Ospreys fishing.  It's apparently on one of the migration routes north for birds of prey.  Let's hope they were birds heading back to Britain somewhere - either to ABM's Loch Garten, or to our Glaslyn site near Porthmadog in North Wales!

They might be 'English' birds headed for Rutland or Keilder Water or maybe new places! Where ever they are headed, let's wish them the best of luck and a persecution free breaking season.

From the following it sounds unlikely to be headed for Britain - the British birds appear to follow a different route up the west coast of France, then across the Bay of Biscay.  The 'live migration blog' shows one of the Rutland ospreys coming up the west coast of Africa:

The Glaslyn female Osprey (known as Mrs G) arrived back at the Glaslyn nest today!  Another safe migration - let's hope her mate (known as Aran) returns soon too, so they can get started on egg-laying.  Last year laying was complicated because of a number of useless or 'unfaithful' suitors, and a situation a bit like a Bryan Rix farce, but eventually Aran overcome all the other contenders, and got rid of their eggs.  Mrs G laid two more very late eggs, but the two resulting chicks were raised to fledging, and although late starters they left on their first migration.

Can't  get  anything  from  Loch  Garten  at  present  They  were  due  to  get  "Fibre"  in  over  the  winter  but,  while  that  may  have  been  done,  they  have  had  an  appalling  run  of  bad  luck  with  the  cameras  !!

I'm  afraid  its  still  not  working,  so  I'm  hoping  against  hope  that  it  gets  going  before  I  head  up  there  on  Jolly  Hollys  or  I'll be  inclined  to  tell  'em  that  Bri's  none  too  pleased  !

Technology  Bah  Fiddle-sticks  Rhubarb  !!

Apparently  the  camera  at  Loch  Garten  is  up  and  running  ok  BUT    it  does  need  particular  kit  to  access  it.  !!  Try  "The  Blog"  for  details  !!

I've  followed  the  latest  advice  &  if  you  cant  get  a  picture  via  the  RSPB  link  Then  go  to  CARNYX  &  then  click  on  FLASH  and  all  should  then  be  well {  it  is  for  me  anyway  !! }

Anyway,  EJ  the  female  ( should  not  mention  it  but  the  lady  is  20  years  old  this  year  )  is  back  &  waiting  for  Odin,  he  long term  mate.  Come  on  boyo,  get  a  move  on  !!  Keeping  the  ladies  waiting,  indeed 

As  I've  posted  on  the  R S P B Thread  Both  EJ  &  Odin,  the  usually  resident  Ospreys  are  back  at  Loch  Garten  reserve  'oop  north'  '

Had  a  quick  peep  at  lunch  time  &  there  they  were,  enjoying  each  others  company  .

Hope  there  are  no  intruders  around  at  Glaslyn  or  Loch  Garten  this  year  (  Flirty  Home  Wreckers  !!  )

WHOOPEE  !!

Delighted  to  see  on  the  R S P B Loch Garten  Web Site  Blog  that 

the  R S P B   Abernethy  ( Loch  Garten  to  me  &  many  others ) 

has  won  the   B B C  Countryfile  Magazine  "Reserve  Of  The  Year 

Award"  --  to  be  featured  in  the  May  issue  of  the  magazine  !!

Fully  expect  a  fanfare  of  trumpets  every  morning  at  6  !!

The  World  is  at  peace ( apart  from  intruding  Corvids,  drat  them )  and  EJ  has  two  nice  neat  osprey  eggs  to  occupy  her  mind  !!  I  do  so  hope  there  will  be a  third,  &  that  Odin  can  provide  food for  his  latest  Brood !