Blogger George asked a question about when the ospreys are likely to begin their migration? So I thought I'd answer his question with a wee blog and in so doing take this opportunity to begin to prepare you for their inevitable departure, as day by day we move inexorably towards that next stage in the lives of our birds.
The usual pattern, over all the years here at Loch Garten, is that female ospreys leave first. EJ could be gone by perhaps as early as c.8-10 August. Rothes, Mallachie and Garten are likely to be with us until c.20-24 August. Male ospreys are last to go, so Odin could be with us until he is confident that the youngsters have indeed gone, hanging on just that little bit longer for several days to check, then off he goes too at the end of August or early September. They do not go together as a family, though it is possible that they may encounter one another en route. Last year, Deshar and Nethy both spent a month or more in southern England, but not actually anywhere near each other.
One explanation why female ospreys go early, is that their job is done, the young ospreys are at least semi, if not totally independent by then, and the male is of course still around to provide back-up supplies of fish if the young still have not fully mastered fishing for themselves successfully. Also, because the female has; a) put a lot of her bodily resources into the production of eggs, b) been relatively inactive during the 36-42 days of incubation, and c) spent another two months hanging around the nest, guarding & tending the young - she is therefore relatively out of condition and potentially quite unfit compared to Odin. So she leaves early to give herself a longer time to make that migration flight, perhaps at a more leisurely pace, recovering her fitness along the way.
Odin, who as chief provider of fish, has spent months & months flying back and forth on fishing trips, anything up to 9 times a day, therefore he in contrast is as fit as a butcher's dog, as they say, is in tip-top condition and therefore can afford to delay his departure for the sake of the family, before he then heads off, when his fitness probably enables him to make good progress, and fast.
Interestingly, given EJ's resumption of fishing duites far earlier than we have seen from most female ospreys here at Loch Garten over the years - no doubt a result of learned behaviour, of not to trust males to provide enough fish, after her experiences with VS - it will mean that she will have regained some of her fitness, maybe returned to full fitness, and so be in a better condition to start her migration. Will that mean she stays longer? Or maybe she will just go early as usual, but be all the better to cope with the rigours of migration, arrive in West Africa in good shape, survive the winter more easily and return again to breed in 2010? Could our EJ have hit upon a strategy that will serve her well in future - start fishing early and get back in shape?
Thankyou for all this information, but I have to admit to feeling very sad and perhaps a bit teary reading it, even though we all know this is how it works and always will.
I have to marvel at nature as to what drives them on and to just know its time to go, and how the little ones know by instinct the way to Africa, when you say they dont go as a family, now wouldn't that be what we want as humans, EJ and Odin leading the lttle family to Africa,
Nature is far cleverer than us mere humans, and these birds know far more than we will ever realise I'm sure, Just hope they all arrive safely, and maybe come back and see us all one day.
Especially EJ, lets hope she finds Odin again next year, what a star he has been, I'm sure all the ladies will be after him next year.
They say animals leave paw prints on your heart well this little family have certainly left their prints on mine.
Richard, thanks for the update but it is not really something I want to read or think about yet!!
I just feel so sad thinking of them leaving. Here at LG, they have been so well looked after by EJ and Odin and soon they will be on their own and have to fend for themselves. Exciting but also sad.
You mentioned you saw on the tracking that Rothes is venturing a bit further now. When is the Google Earth tracking going to be turned on so we can see too?
REPLY: Karen, I know, I know, it will be sad when they go, I'm just trying to let you down gently and prepare you. The web-team will now be working on the tracking pages etc, since completing the new blog lay-out work. - Richard
Richard, i must admit that when i read the title of this blog it actually brought a lump to my throat! I thought i was prepared but obviously not. lets hope that ej's tactics of resuming fishing activities does mean she stays that bit longer - after all, i really think she is the true heroine of this family. thats not to take anything away from Odin, who has done a magnificent job of providing for all of them, but i just think ej is so special. if she chooses to go early as is usual, then so be it, and i, along with thousands of others, will wish her godspeed and safe journey.
RICHARD Thank you so much I was in the act of asking that question and then you answer it. Very interesting, sad and quite frightening for the girls though!!!
Thanks again xx You are all brilliant but you all know that @cos we keep telling you! ::))
I wish I had words to say what you said Ellieloo. Not that clever ::)) Boo Hoo!!
21.58 I think Garten has left that fish on the nest by the look of it!!
A bit tearful after reading the blog though. This will be my first migration. Even at my age I still have firsts. Wonderful ::))
2205. I know I know, it must happen - thank you Richard. But what excitement is in store for us now! We'll be tracking them down through the UK, perhaps even with some sitings as happened last year in the south of England, then logging on to Google Earth eagerly each day to see how much progress the Girls have made. And then the satisfaction of knowing they're in Africa with plentiful fish. We hope! (No more Deshars this year, please.) And of course we'll all be blogging away as usual sharing our joy and our worries. Marvellous!
Thanks, Richard for the update. You are preparing us well for the departure of our lovely osprey family. Here's hoping for a safe passage for each of them on migration in their separate ways. This is the first time I have watched from the beginning of the season - I only found the site last year about migration time - and I am well and truly hooked! It has been made so enjoyable - and educational - by the blogs and interesting comments from you and all the other LG staff. Just wish I lived a bit nearer and was able to visit in person.
Wow, hasnt the migration come round very quickly. I agree with all thats been written and of course it is sad that the family are to be going their separate ways BUT on the other hand its the start of another chapter in this intriguing adventure. I so thoroughly enjoyed following the journeys of Nethy and Deshar last year even although the end result what not what we would all have wanted. This time it will hopefully have a happier ending AND of course I am still hopeful that the tracking device fell off Nethy and that perhaps one day she will return to LG.
I feel mega privileged to have been able to share in this wonderful event and am truly delighted to have learnt so much not only from the staff at LG but also the info from all the bloggers and of course the birds themselves, the stars of the whole show! Thanks everyone.
I don't want to think about the upcoming departures either. It's my birthday at the end of August and whilst it's something to look forward to it also means the realisation that our wee family probably won't be around by then.
The departure of Odin, EJ and the girls is going to hit me very hard. This is our first year of Osprey Watching and we have been completely and utterly drawn in and, in my case, it's become quite an addiction. It's all down to you Guys, especially Richard, at Loch Garten and everyone on the Blog and Facebook Pages. It's ALL your fault!!! But I wouldn't have missed it for the world...so THANK YOU xx
Sad but inevitable to know that the departure date is nigh, thank you for the information Richard.....it makes you wonder even more about nature and she prepares the birds for their future. But on the bright side, just think, we will be able to follow the flights of the Rothes and Mallachie (all being well) find which paths they choose to their ultimate destination....... and be very grateful that we were all part of a team of like minded folk, from all over the globe, who have watched them grow, thrive, the parents survival through all their tribultions and even helped along by Tesco's fish! With Richard at the helm, and the volunteers at the centre we are all part of a unique experience that some folks never have, or know about even....... I feel very privileged to be a small part of this community..... and will wish the Osprey family well and safe and happy landings....... now I can go away and find my hankie!!!! sniff, sniff not that I get emotional mind!
My time 14.23 Sunday afternoon. 26th July 2009
10:25 pm Richard thank you for the informatiom about the migration. I now can plan my last trip of the season to see the family that has kept us all intrigued with for the last five months. From what I have been reading google earth is going to be kept busy during the winter months.
I know we all feel the same about them going to Africa but that is just what nature is all about we hope they will return again next year E J and Odin what a pair they are just wonderful never faltering in the care of their wee family apart from the incident of the fishing line with poor Odin but he quickly got back into feeding the wee ones as did Richard and the L G team hope and pray the five of them have a safe journey to Africa and fingers will be crossed till next March for E J and Odin to return to L G he is a great provider for his girls and E J is a mum in a million.
Fantastic that there will be three healthy young ones setting out shortly, just marvellous. It could all have been very different, given Odin's earlier difficulties. What a pleasure it has been to watch them grow, squabble and learn. Looking forward to seeing where Rothes and Mallachie get to, and hopefully we will see EJ and Odin do it all over again next time!
Thanks so much, Richard, for that very timely and informative blog. Time certainly does march on! One thing is for certain; these chicks come from the very best stock, and have been well-fed at all stages of their development. That means that they have the very best chance possible of migrating safely and successfully to Africa, and of returning at the appointed time to breed themselves. With learned behaviour of females contributing to the food supply for chicks, the future also looks very promising for their progeny. Now, lets just settle back and enjoy watching these magnificent creatures while we can.
Some time ago I likened all of us to hungry, demanding chicks, and the LG team as patient and indulgent parents feeding us well with knowledge. As chance would have it, have you noticed that, as our young birds have left the confines of the nest, we too have left the confines of this blog and are now exploring our new environment. We are learning to be more self-sufficient here, and to help each other, which will stand us in good stead for when LG closes at the end of the season. That day, too, is fast approaching.