Mallachie is on her way!
The word last evening from the Osprey Centre was that Mallachie had not been seen since 11.30am on Saturday morning, 29th August. So I have just been up to the office to download the latest data to see if we could find out where she's got to, and it gives fixes on her up to 9pm last night, She is in Northumberland.
Sure enough, she left the Loch Garten nest area at about noon yesterday, she flew east over the edge of the main Cairngorm Mountains massif, passed the wonderfully named Spittal of Glenshee, over Benvie, just west of Dundee, then........(oh no!).......out over the North Sea east of Edinburgh!!
Hmmm. It was a bit unnerving seeing her go out there, as that is what Deshar did last year, and we know what his navigational skills ultimately led to. With trepidation, I tapped in the next few co-ordinates into Google Maps, and was relieved to see that she looks to have come back in to shore near Bamburgh, Northumberland, finally moving just a wee bit further south and in land a bit too, to a spot near Longhoughton, her last know fix at 9pm last night. So she has at least passed her first test, of venturing out over water.
So, loneliness has got the better of her eventually and it has prompted her to leave us here at Loch Garten, the last of this year's osprey family. However we are not entirely bereft of ospreys as yet, as in Mallachie's place, intruder white TF has been around on site most of the day for visitors to see.
As for Rothes, she is still pretty much in the same area in France. She has though, taken a few day trips out, venturing further south a little, up stream on La Gironde river, close to what looks like an industrial complex on the east bank of the river at Le Montalipan. I cannot work out quite what it is, a power station perhaps, before heading a little futher south still, to St Genes-de-Blaye, but always continuing to return back north to her favoured roost, at Dr Jones' sturgeon farm.
With both our tagged youngsters on the move now, we'll have our work cut out making daily checks, up-dating the map and keeping you informed. Thank goodness Alice is back tomorrow from leave. Meantime, my thanks to my friend Andrew Hutchinson, who's visiting for the weekend. He read out the data to me as I entered it this evening. Andrew remember, is the wildlife artist who painted the original of the osprey print that's free to new members when you join RSPB here at Loch Garten.
More anon.
Thanks Richard for taking the time. She's not Hanging around either is she. A bit more easterly route??
Thanks Richard - great news:))
Good to hear it from you, Richard, after all the speculation of "has she? oh no she hasn't! oh yes she has!"
Look forward to seeing her travel on, like her big sister. Still far to go for them both but, as said many times already, our girls this year have had a great start in life.
Thanks for the update Richard. Lets hope that she doesn't follow Deshar's route too closely!
THanks Richard. It puts our mind at rest. What a girl. She will make it. No doubt.
Garten is probably fine as well.. THanks again (One of the Waltons)
Great news - thanks Richard:)))
Great news Richard. so pleased she has made the big push forward. She has done well so far and the northumberland coast is such a beautiful place. If she hangs around a bit maybe we can have a trip up that way(we live about hour and a half away).
wonder if it was the wind direction yesterday that took her a bit to the east, luckily it wasn't TOO strong
Thanks Richard I will have to start watching the skies as she might pass overhead! God speed Mallachie!!
Thanks Richard for taking the time to update us. I can imagine how you felt seeing Mallachie going out to sea. Hope that will be the only worrying comparison with Deshar.
Hope TF makes a move tomorrow. Country File weather forecast seemed to be rain and gales.
Thanks for the update, Richard. Now I know that I need glasses. lol :-)
Thanks Richard for coming in especially to update us. I wonder if Mallachie has found anything to eat yet??
The North Sea does not sound ideal! Fingers crossed for her. I expect Garton has taken a more sensible route, probably following her mother!
Thanks Richard for confirming what we had all guessed! Can't wait to hear where she goes next!
Thanks Richard for putting our minds at rest. Well it is official now, they have all left for warmer climes. Judging by the weather here on Tracy Island tonight it is not before time. Raining and dark at 8 o clock.
It is just starting to dawn on me that we will be ospreyless for 6 months or more. Oh woe is me. What shall I do?.
MMG : Interesting about the Cocker Spaniel breeders near Dundee as that was where I was born and brought up. Hamish however was born in Bedfordshire and is an English cocker.
Thank you for the message Richard, sorry I begged for info but was very worried about hungry Mallachie, at least she is going south, that's a releif.
Just watched coast in the Western Isles where I went on holiday and saw some beautiful eagel chicks and an adult flying, fantastic.
JILLIAN