On Friday, 22nd July I am going up to visit the Aberfoyle Osprey Project, the birthplace of H/D our resident female.
Hopefully this visit will give me some inspiration as to what could be improved with our own visitor centre at the Wigtwon County Buildings. It's just a pity that Aberfoyle has got no breeding ospreys this year, after the female abandoned the eggs just before hatching was due for reasons unknown. Check out their blog at http://aberfoyleospreys.blogspot.com/ for more details.
I'm also planning a visit to the Dyfi and Glaslyn sites in Wales in early August, as I used to work at the Glaslyn project and still know lots of staff and volunteers in Wales.
Here's the link to the Dyfi Blog: http://www.facebook.com/dyfiospreyproject and the RSPB Glaslyn facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/RSPB-Glaslyn-Osprey and blog: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/b/glaslynospreys/default.aspx in case you haven't been following their stories this year.
Great news about the successful ringing and GPS tracker fitting at Dyfi.
Happy Osprey watching wherever you are.
Our second 2011 Wigtown Bay osprey chick took it's first flight today at 11.35am.
Again I was not present at the visitor centre to witness the flight, but Bill again was lucky enough to be volunteering at the right time!
Aparently, JC took her first flights rather shakily from perch to perch in the nest tree, then after a few practices, took off and did a full circuit of the nest area before landing in the nest.
I went to the visitor centre when I heard the news, and sure enough whilst I was there both JD and JC were happily flying in and out of the nest from nearby perches.
The two chicks will still use the nest as a base for the next month or so, so if you haven't been to visit us yet, please come soon.
Just found a fascinating discussion on the Aberfoyle Ospreys Blog: http://aberfoyleospreys.blogspot.com/ about water logging of eggs causing egg membranes to become thick and difficult for the chicks to break out of, this could explain the death of our third chick.
The Summer guided walk season has started at the Crook of Baldoon Reserve, come and join me at mid-day every fortnight starting on the 1st August for a walk around the reserve.
Please bring appropriate clothing and binoculars if you have them.
I'll look forward to seeing you then,
Paul
JD our Wigtown Bay 2011 Osprey Chick fledged yesterday morning, 15th July, on his 52nd day as predicted. JC his day younger sister is expected to fledge on Monday 18th July.
Unfortunately I dicided to take yesterday off, and missed it, but Bill one of our trusty volunteers was in to witness the grand moment. Shame there were no visitors in to see it too...
I have been into the Wigtown County Buildings today and apparently JD has made a series of successful flights now. JC is begining to show interest in jumping and wing flapping, reaching the hover stage now, so she won't be long to fly too.
The osprey chicks and adults will still use the nest as a base for another month or so, so if you haven't been to Wigtown to see them recently come soon.
The project is still looking for keen local volunteers to help staff the visitor centre too, we need people to talk to disappointed visitors when they come in to find an empty nest.
More news of JD's and JC's adventures soon.