Several months have now passed since our ospreys left for their wintering grounds in West Africa. Whilst the whereabouts of ‘Lady’ and her mate ‘7Y’ are unknown, the wonders of modern satellite tracking technology allow us to follow the fortunes of a number of adult & fledgling ospreys from other public viewing sites across the UK. 

Next year we hope to be able to do the same with our own fledglings, but for now I thought I would provide a quick rundown on how the current crop of tagged birds are faring.

As those of you who have been watching Autumnwatch will know, the three fledgling birds from the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s Dyfi Osprey Project all successfully completed their first migration to Africa, settling in various regions of Senegal.

Dulas, one of two male chicks, is currently just south of the head of the River Gambia. Meanwhile, his brother Einion appears to have settled in the Somone Lagoon Reserve. He was spotted further south in the Sine-Saloum Delta on 8th November by Roy Dennis, who was in Senegal filming for Autumnwatch. Unfortunately, it seems likely that their sister Leri may have died having reached Senegal. Her last new position was in the Oiseaux de Djoudj National Park on 24th October from where she has not moved since. It is possible that her satellite tag has fallen off, however a search of the area by a local researcher found neither her or her tag. It is a sad reality that many young ospreys will not survive their first winter but the fact that they can even attempt and often complete this epic migration at such a young age is an incredible achievement in itself.

For the latest news from the Dyfi Osprey Project go to: www.dyfiospreyproject.com/meet-the-ospreys/gps-tracking  

Both of this year’s fledglings from Loch Garten are doing well at present. Bynack, the male chick, is currently overwintering in Mauritania, to the north of the Oiseaux de Djoudj National Park. Meanwhile, his sister Tore is in neighbouring Senegal, among wetlands by the River Casamance. Rothes, a female bird from 2010 is currently heading north from her wintering grounds of the previous year on the Ilha de Unhocomozinho, off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.

To keep up-to-date with the Loch Garten ospreys visit: www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/tracking/lochgartenospreys

Number 12, a 2010 male chick from the Lake District Osprey Project is now part-way through his second winter on the Gambian coast in the Halahin River area. He seems to have successfully established a regular roost site; not an easy task for a relative youngster who will be facing stiff competition from older, more experienced birds.  

For all the latest from the Lake District Osprey Project follow: www.flickr.com/photos/ospreywatch  

Two adult birds from Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust’s Rutland Osprey Project were satellite tagged during the summer. AW, a 2006 male chick from the Site B nest is overwintering on the coast of Guinea, near a river estuary south of Kamsar. 09, a male bird translocated to Rutland in 1998 is spending his time on the Senegalese coast north east of Dakar.

Current news from the Rutland Osprey Project can be found at: www.ospreys.org.uk/category/satellite-tracking

In addition to the ospreys detailed above, Roy Dennis, through his Highland Foundation for Wildlife, has been responsible for the tagging of a number of ospreys from other less well-known nests throughout Highland Scotland. For news of these birds go to: www.roydennis.org/osprey

Jonathan

Visitor Centre Assistant Manager