Yet all we get is the empty nest which is probably still full of half eaten half decaying fish. It will be a feast for crows. So it’s currently blowing a gale, work parties are being cancelled left right and centre! So it’s about time for the osprey end of season winter wrap up!
Winter wrap up!
Well, it’s been nearly 3 weeks since the last osprey has been seen at Foulshaw Moss. It’s gone so quickly! From guessing the number of eggs in the nest to fledgling/landing conundrums! And now we stare at the osprey cam wondering if White DP will show up again.
Blue 35 arrived way back on the 30th March, we had some close scares with infidelity between Blue 35 and some Scottish osprey but all was saved when White YW arrived on the 4 March, and dealt with the intruding male!
A month breezed by and soon we would see the eggs! A couple of days of guessing but we soon had a confirmed sighting on the 29th of April of three eggs.
The tension rose until we had the dramatic reveal of the first egg hatching on the 22nd of May. Then, came the dreaded saga, nigh unstoppable, you guessed it, the melt down of osprey cam… I think the record was it having to be reset three times in one day!
The other eggs quickly followed suit in hatching and we had our three osprey chicks!
Then the summer came and so did the heat! I’m not sure what was more unbearable, the heat or everyone mentioning the summer of 1984! Our ospreys still persevered though, since they’re used to more African weather!
Then we had the ringing of the osprey chicks which went amazing until we mixed up the ring numbers!
osprey ringing 2018 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiVN-FoWqMc)
Ringing the ospreys Foulshaw Moss
Fledging went great and gave us plenty of entertainment with them learning to fly and land!
So, what about now? There are puddles forming again at Foulshaw Moss! With the night’s drawing longer and the wind is beginning to snag at loose clothes, I’d be glad to already be on my way to Africa!
It’s only 3,000 miles away! And that’s in a straight line rather than hugging the coast as an osprey would, that’s at least an extra 500 miles. So, that’s quite the undertaking to complete first time on your own! It will also sadly, be the last time for two thirds of fledging ospreys.
When do you think we will see our 2018 Foulshaw Moss fledglings again? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook using the #FoulshawOspreys. See you next year!
Andrew
About the author: Andrew is on a student placement with us in 2018-19 gaining experience in wildlife conservation alongside Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve Officer, Paul Waterhouse.