Thought it would be appropriate to bump then close this thread for 2015 by giving a final update on events at the Loch of the Lowes.
The year started with the oldest breeding female not returning having failed to successfully rear chicks in 2014, Her record was unequalled and she much loved, but like all of us age got the better of her. But this sad situation soon changed when a new young female appeared and soon started getting the attention of the young male who we believe had appeared a year earlier. As the new chapter unfolded the two slowly began to work as a pair, much mating took place then one, two, three eggs were laid. The Male kept his suitor supplied with a variety of fish and she stuck rigidly to the nest incubating the precious eggs. Other Ospreys occassionally turned up and bid for supremacy but all were seen off. One by one the three eggs hatched to reveal a clutch of beautiful chicks, The first two were just days ahead of the last to hatch and their seniority showed, The new young parents were growing in maturity and made sure that each chick received it's fair share of food. There were some attrocious weather conditions yet the team carried on undaunted. Fledging was a perilous affair and there were some scary moments. August saw the departure of the female closely pursued by the first chick. This one was tracked as it flew to southern Scotland over the irish sea to Wales and eventually across the channel to France, soon after number two left but this chick ha not been fitted with a tracker. This left the last chick and Male, they hung around for a couple of weeks before the male decided it was time to leave the last chick to it's own devices. Next day that chick finally departed. it took a slightly different route to the first but is heading south towards France with great conviction. So that brings to a close a wonderful season for the new family yet they now face an even more perilous period. Ospreys born in the UK tend to take one of two routes into North Africa, some move toward the Red sea and others down the west coast toward Senegal. There will be many dangers in their paths, some will fly over areas of conflict others land affected by drought and and climate change. So in two or three years time if the chicks survive the challenges they too may return to breed in the UK. A Bird persecuted to extinction is once again resident in our Islands and we are the richer for it.
Footnote.
Osprey's and Red Kites have both been reintroduced successfully, Hen Harriers remain endangered due to illegal poisoning and shooting because they are Moorland birds who prey on game birds, therefore they compete with humans who pay big money for the right to shoot Grouse. Let us hope that a compromise can be reached to allow this wonderful bird to once again grace the moorlands with it's low level gliding across the emerging purple heather.
