Through a somewhat convoluted route, we are now in contact with the sturgeon farm where Rothes is currently located. Thanks to a string of e-mails from Tony to Nick to Yvette, word eventually got through to Dr Alan Jones of Sturgeon SCEA, who then e-mailed me and I just this minute phoned him in France to chat. Thank goodness his secretary spoke excellent English, is all I can say! Though I did just manage parlez vous Anglais - phew!
Anyway, when Dr Jones went on Google Earth, he was delighted to see that Rothes has decided to take a break on one of his sturgeon farms at St Fort sur Gironde. He told me that he is very honoured to have such a celebrity to stay. He spoke to his staff there, to see if they had actually seen Rothes but they haven't. She seems to be largely just roosting there, perhaps coming and going after the staff have gone home, hence no actual sightings. She is obviously fishing elsewhere in the vicinity, and Dr Jones confirmed that there are extensive wetlands on both sides of La Gironde river. He doesn't think it very likely that Rothes is eating his sturgeon as on that particular farm they only keep the females destined for caviar production and they weigh from about 5 to 15 Kgs! This would be an impossible challenge for her.
Dr Jones has now become a regular blogger to check if Rothes is still gracing his farm with her presence, and he wonders if it will become a regular stopping off point for more ospreys in the future. When Rothes does eventually leave the area, he told me he hopes the rest of her journey is completed safely and he hopes that she will come and visit them on her return in years to come. He's already pondering on introducing a new “Osprey” brand of caviar to mark the occasion! Needless to say, this is very welcome news indeed, to know that Rothes is welcome there and that the farm staff will be keeping an eye out for her during her stay with them. He has my contact number so he can keep me informed of any news.
I have checked the latest data this afternoon and Rothes is still in the same general area - her last fix was at 8am this morning. On checking the data, for some odd reason there are no fixes at all for yesterday (27th). I've spoken to a techi-colleague at HQ who tells me that sometimes there can be blips in the satellite transmission cycle, a loss of sychronicity or some such explanation, to be frank, he lost me a bit (sorry Nigel). Anyway, in short more data will be out there in the ether somewhere and will arrive at some point, so until then I shall not up-date the map. I'll try and take a look over the weekend, but otherwise it will be on Monday morning. Have a good weekend.
In summary: Rothes in France. No Odin since 22nd. No Garten since 8.30pm on 26th. No EJ since 8am 27th. Just Mallachie here now on her tod, oh plus the intruder juvenile who's still hanging about.
Richard is it alright for Mallachie to be on her own so long. Thanks for all the wondeful French"Connection"" information. You're a star>
C'est magnifique!! Merci Richard (yep, that's as far as my Frrench goes). How brilliant is that! What a star Rothes is already. Mallachie, look what you can achieve if you would just take the plunge.
aRE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT mALLACHIE. SORRY FOR BEING A PEST>
What exciting news, although I feel more than sorry for Mallachie all on her own. Hope she can fish for herself or else stop for sardines on toast at the LG centre!!
Strange timetables this family are keeping this year, mind you strange weather patterns all over Europe so really not surprised the birds are confused.
Bon voyage ospreys! A bientot.
Mallachie is just sitting there wondering where everyone went!
She'll be off soon.
Thanks for the update Richard. You were right - rule book ripped up this year. We will wait with baited breath over the weekend. Will Rothes move on ? Will Mallachie move or stay ? Would be interesting if French connection actually had a visual !!
Thanks, Richard. Lots of info to take in, but thanks also for the summary at the end- Goodbye to Odin the Magnificent, & dear Garten, & possibly our very dear EJ.
Richard, thank you for letting us know about your contact with France. Good to know that the fish farmers aren't going to shoo Rothes away.Poor Mallachie must be feeling pretty deserted, as if no-one loves her. Little does she know! In many ways I'm now glad we don't know what Garten is up to - we can tell ourselves she's OK. She's been a real wee survivor since she hatched. Long may that continue. (You might guess I've got a soft spot for her!)
How lovely to know Rothe's presence is welcome at that spot. What a nice man Dr. Jones must be! Bet if Garten passes that way she will have a go at catching one of his fish - the bigger the better for her!!
Thanks for that really interesting development re the sturgeon farm. It is good to know that they will be looking out for Rothes while she is there. Merci Beaucoup!!!
Wonderful - somehow it makes her feel much nearer. Hope she stays for a bit - perhaps they will be able to get a photo of her. If the sturgeon are that heavy the fish farm have nothing to fear from passing osprey - even EJ!
Great news Richard, thanks. It would be brilliant if the staff over there managed to see Rothes. I reckon Mallchie will go as soon as the weather improves ... maybe tomorrow???
Thanks for this latest info. Richard.
Osprey caviar! The fame of LG ospreys just spreads and spreads.
Have never eaten caviar. Any other blogger tried it?
Thank you for your report Richard, glad Rothes will be safe at the fish farm.
Missing Garten alot but know she is a strong female and has a good chance of survival.
Poor Mallachie staying till last so all the staff at LG and bloggers can give her ALL the attention. I do hope she tries to fish there soon as no-one else will get her a fish, I am a little worried though and am tempted to order her one from Tesco but I know we have to let her look after herself now.
Just been on Mull eagel site and Dave has written a new blog to say that the man and his 7 year old son who drowned in a canoe accident in remote Scotland near Ullapool on Monday was a wildlife researcher and a friend of his. In the 80s the man and Dave worked on the introduction of the sea eagel to scotland , one was Frisa's mum. This man was also connected with the tracking of the last years sea eagel chicks and was very well known. Very sad.
JILLIAN
What great Networking! Great to hear that Dr Jones and his staff will be on the look out for Rothes... Like the idea of the new Caviar in her honour!