An amateur Scottish cyclist is getting on his bike this weekend (Saturday 1 May) to complete a 1,000 mile trip across Britain as part of a campaign by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) aiming to uncover the migratory journey of the latest chicks set to be produced by the UK’s oldest breeding osprey.

Toby Green, a 39-year-old man living locally to the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre in Perthshire, has volunteered to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats, a challenge which will take an estimated two weeks to complete, in a bid to raise £9,000 to fund satellite tagging for up to three chicks which might hatch and fledge the osprey nest at Loch of the Lowes this season.

The exact route travelled by the resident female at SWT’s Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve, which returned for the 20th consecutive breeding year this season, and her chicks is one which remains a local mystery.  Ospreys migrate over 6,000 miles each year travelling between West African wintering grounds and UK breeding sites.

Green, an SWT volunteer, said:  “This is one of the ultimate challenges for a cyclist to undertake in Britain.  I aim to cycle at least 100 miles per day for 14 consecutive days and, unlike other organised cycles I won’t have a support team behind me.  I’ll be carrying all my equipment including my tent on my bike and I’ll be pushing myself to see how far my legs can take me.

”This will be an incredible journey, but nothing compared to the migration made annually by ospreys.  I’m sure at the end of my ride I’ll be even more in awe of the amazing endurance of one of Scotland’s most incredible raptors.”

Peter Ferns, SWT’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre Manager, said:  “Satellite tagging has the potential to unlock many secrets about the behaviour of our young ospreys.  By tracking the route they take, an instinctive process determined from their hereditary programming, insight into the journey they take each year will also be gained.  It is a safe and proven method of research, causing no harm to the animal. 

“With satellite tagging we might also learn more about what causes an osprey to fail to return, as our usual osprey male did this year, and if there is a pattern in failed migrations.  Luckily our female has attracted another mate, but it still causes us to wonder what has happened to that male.  With more information, we might even be able to enhance our activities to protect these formidable rarities of our bird world.”

Following the return of the resident female osprey at Loch of the Lowes in March, three eggs have now been laid and are due to hatch towards the end of May.  Satellite tags cost £3,000 each and the SWT is hoping to raise a minimum of £9,000 before any tagging begins.  It is hoped that this target will be achieved this year. 

Donations can be pledged at www.justgiving.com/Toby-Green or support other work of the SWT, the largest organisation dedicated to protecting all of Scotland’s wildlife, by becoming a member at www.swt.org.uk. 

The osprey faced persecution in the early 20th Century and was very nearly driven to extinction by 1916.  Conservation efforts continue to re-establish the species as part of Scotland’s rich wildlife.  Today, 220 pairs of osprey now breed in Scotland during summer months

***ENDS***

Osprey images are available on request

You are invited to send a photographer and/or multimedia journalist along to Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre on Monday 26th April 2010 where Toby Green will be available all day to interview and for photograph opportunities, including Toby with his bicycle and in appropriate clothing.  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicola McGovern, SWT PR Officer
0131 312 4742
 

Fiona Hutton, Visitor Centre Assistant, SWT
Tel: 01350 727337
                
Notes to Editors

1. Stock still images and high definition footage of the osprey are available.  Please contact SWT’s PR Officer with requests.

2. Photographers and broadcast journalists are welcome at the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve but are requested to contact the PR Officer before arriving.

3. SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 35,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.

4. SWT receives financial assistance and support from Scottish Natural Heritage and the People’s Postcode Lottery.