Annette: Yes, I have metioned how dangerous the Sahara is but so have others. For one thing it's so BIG. Ospreys don't stop just to drink water like other birds, they get their moisture from fish,.
So please would somebody more knowledgeable than I say whether it has to be a 'fasted' flight across the desert. ?? I can't bear to think of 'new' Ospreys not having a clue how big the Sahara is just flying over it mile after mile after mile. Does anyone know how many miles the 'average' crossing is? (seeing it's an ocean of sand)
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I've made the mistake of watching some of a Ray Mears video online about the Sahara. The whole of Europe could fit into it !!!!!!!! Temperature in the 50 s COf course Ospreys have the ability to fly high enough to counter high temperatures. Perhaps I should take this onto the Chat page. But what about roosting places ? And fish?
Cirrus the Sahara is a worry so I hope Mallachie will have stocked up with fish before she attempts this. How wonderful to see the photos that Xalba put on for us. Never expected to be able to see her on migration so what a treat and also quite emotional to see she is more of an adult now and how beautiful she is. Her eyes are just wonderful.
Margobird
Hello Margobird, I certainly hope she'll have stocked up with fish first too, BUT she doesn't know how big the Sahara is, does she? Not having been across it before. But a lot of other Ospreys have made it, including Nethy so my hopes are on the inbuilt instinct.
Yes, she looks so grown up in the Xalba images. Wonderful eyes indeed.
Morning all. Cirrus: thanks for the info - so yes, let's hope that instinct continues to work as well as it has so far.
Hi, folks. I was concerned that Mallachie had been seen making 3 fishing attempts, but did not catch any fish. I couldn't remember the fishing success rate for ospreys. So I did some brief research, and I found this:
Adult ospreys are successful in one out of four fishing attemps [Roy Dennis 2008]. Inexperienced birds may require many more attempts.
(Experts on various sites did say that very experienced and adept ospreys could have a much higher success rate, maybe as high as 90%.)
Hope this helps anyone else who might be worried about M and the loss of her tummy roll. :-)
Morning Diane. Sounds reasonable; besides, all that flying probably burns a lot of fat. Speaking of which, I'm off to the gym to do some of the same.
Hi, Annette. Knowing that ospreys may have to make many dives to get a fish, I think Mallachie is quite okay. And her success probably also depends on the fishing conditions in the area (muddy water, etc.),
New blog from Richard.
Tx Alan
Jane, I think , from what the chat was last year, the birds will roost and fly and that is it. So, again, as far as I know, there is no opportunity to fish etc
The trick is to get through it as soon as you can.
Each of Richard's blogs seems to be more exciting than the last! We have to hope that this year we'll get only good news about our chicks. Nice to know that things are also going well for the team at LG, after all their undoubted hard work. Such a lot of visitors! Not me, sadly, but maybe one day....
Gary, your post has made me nervous. Not sure what you mean. Oh, you are talking about the Sahara. ? Golly, I hope not. You are, aren't you? Oh my goodness me - that's a terrible thought. Oh dear dear and most precious Marvellous Mallachie, please stay in Spain.
When we think we have reached the zenith of progress, excitement and good news ... we get even more!
Mallachie is motoring - she obviously kept her adventurous side hidden at Loch Garten, but she certainly seems to know what to do now.
Photos from Didier have added an extra dimension to our Osprey experience this year - dare we hope for an equally dedicated bird photographer in Spain - or Senegal - or even Guinea Bissau?
And now Richard's news of the 2009 statistics and the Green Tourism Award!
Congratulations all round - Mallachie, Didier, Richard and the team.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Cirrus: Try not to fret too much! Remember, these birds are built for this trip and so far Mallachie has surprised us all.