With this season’s batch of osprey fledglings having safely departed on their maiden migrations our thoughts turn back to last year’s progeny, FR3.

When we last checked in with our young osprey at the end of July, he had moved further inland along the Gambia river from Bulok, which had been home for over 8 months, towards Kassagne and the Bintang Bolon.

The area appears to have been to FR3’s liking as he has settled here for the time being at least.

As you can see from the latest satellite imagery above, most of FR3’s activity during the past few weeks has been in and around the mangrove swamps of the Bintang Bolon to the south-east of Kassagne.

He has made a few short trips NE along the bolon (creek) on a couple of occasions and over 28th and 29th August went on an extended loop of around 12 miles (20km) in length towards Karanai, following the network of waterways back to his core area.

This photo gives you an impression of what the area is like – quite difference to what FR3 grew up with at Loch of the Lowes!

Jonathan