UKC

Whilst Osprey watching with RSPB staff present, I learnt that Ospreys in Scotland are ringed nowadays with the coloured ring on their left leg, whilst the right leg is used in England and Wales. An easy way of spotting at a glance with binoculars where an Osprey was ringed generally for those monitoring movements.

Some further ringing details here - https://www.roydennis.org/animals/raptors/osprey/reading-colour-rings/ .

Blimey; I’m not sure how much I’d fancy ringing an osprey. They look like they could give you a nasty peck to me.

jcm

Thanks for posting that - something I didn’t know either….despite one of my best mates having written a couple of books on them and my kids having asked him 100’s questions about them every time we see him! 

Apparently not a problem in reality with Ospreys; I was told they are passive birds when being handled at juvenile stage for ringing etc. The biggest danger to the ringers is getting up and down from the nest.

Last year I spoke to one of those involved with the handling of the rescue of “The Bairn” - https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/off_belay/auspicious_start_for_a_juvenile... , and he had no concerns of holding the juvenile.

Also, I remember watching Osprey feeding time last year and being amazed how gentle the feeding process was; no aggression displayed (except for the loud calls) even when the Bairn was hungry and the mother was taking her time.

Edit: BTW the Bairn managed to successfully migrate last year and was seen doing well in Senegal in February this year (not checked since). 

As they are big birds the rings are relatively easy to read. I always find it amazing and encouraging that ospreys which have fledged somewhere in the UK are seen during the winter in Senegal(which seems to be well used by ospreys).

There are lots of webcams on osprey nests around the UK. Two of my favourites are the 24/7 cameras at Loch Arkaig. This year only one nest has a chick but the other is visited regularly by other ospreys -

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/

Dave

My favourite is at the Loch of the Lowes. There are two chicks, growing at a remarkable rate. 

https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loc...

Seems lots of monitoring and reporting goes on, mainly volunteer enthusiasts I believe.

Two nests I occasionally look in on when passing have 2 and 3 chicks hatched, so looking forward to seeing how they do over the summer. Not covered by cameras, but easy to get near to and to see up to the nests.

Another interesting thing I learnt from RSPB staff is that juveniles translocated before fledging were noted to have a homing instinct to the new site and not the one they hatched in. Suppose that is logical given that it will be where they learnt to fly and feed from before migrating and will be imprinted by learning.

Occasionally check in on the camera there. I’ve never visited the site though despite not being that far away for a day trip.

Another good camera at Foulshaw Moss (Cumbria Wildlife Trust). Three young again this year from a very successful pair.

https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife/cams/osprey-cam

If you're a member of the SWT, you can get into the hides in the evenings, even when the visitor centre is closed. It's a lovely spot, and there are plenty of other birds to watch. There are also beavers and otters on the loch (although I've never seen them from the hides), and red squirrels, deer and pine martens in the surrounding woods. 

And the Loch of the Lowes chicks were weighed, sexed and ringed last week:

https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2023/06/osprey-diary-at-loch-of-the-lo...

Ah useful to know you can visit in evenings thanks; time restraints are one reason I’ve not visited.

I’m not a member though yet have been considering it as I’ve visited some of their other sites, which have free entry, so worthwhile to support the charity.

A Welsh osprey nests the Clywedog Ospreys have been ringed - 2 Males, both the same weight.

Dyfi are ringing their two chicks tonight.

Both of these can be watched on youtube, as well as other Welsh nests. Clywedog is my favorite to follow - lovely location.

I thought this thread was about an annoying noise emanating from your rucksack…