Our young Osprey Blue YD seems to have been fairly sedentary this week and continues to display a penchant for loitering on the outskirts of settlements such as Goumel and Doue. On a typical day he starts off from his roost site on the large meander bend just east of Doue and leisurely follows the river south to a tall tree in a wooded copse where he can while away many an hour. If feeling energetic he may fly North East to the fields on the outskirts of Goumel and hop small distances.

Only on 2 days this week did this behaviour significantly alter. On the 8^th he flew at high altitude a considerable distance in a southerly trajectory over the headwaters of another tributary system of the Senegal river.  Here he was not far from a major road and the rural communities of Ndiayene Pendao in the district of Thille Boubacar. These small settlements are populated by the Fulani people.  Inland fisheries, while not being particularly developed, are considered to have considerable potential in this region – so Blue YD should enjoy this opportunity to fish without competition.

Similarly on the 9^th he seemed to want to explore in an easterly direction and flew, again at altitude, to the area east of Dado just South of the settlement of As.

One question that has occurred to all of us at Loch of the Lowes is how will Blue YD’s behaviour be affected by the adult Osprey migration next month. Will this make him more mobile because it will open up new territories or more sedentary as he will experience less competition. We will keep you posted.

Written by Kirstin Mair. Photograph copy right property of Keith Brockie.