Archives for September 2012

Stan is chancing his luck

September 18, 2012

Tonight Stan is flying south from Gran Canaria over the Atlantic Ocean – some 200 km off the coast of Western Sahara. It is 375 km to the western corner of West Africa which is in his line if the wind is light northerly. Some forecasts say NE light winds – that might mean nearest land is Cape Verde islands 1000 km ahead. Pushed for time this evening to update new data just in so I attach the overall map. As I write he will be flying over the sea – bon voyage.

Stan’s massive migration via the Canary Islands – let’s hope he reaches West Africa

Through Iberia to Coto Donana

September 18, 2012

Fiddich migrated steadily on 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th down through Iberia along the border between Spain and Portugal. Today turned east and fle over the Huelva Marshes between 1400 and 1500GMT (this is where the Scottish origin translocated osprey, which I moved to Spain, is nesting, with other Scottish birds also present). An hour later she settled to roost overnight in the western part of the Coto Donana National Park

Fiddich’s migration 15th -18th September

Aigan seen and photographed in Spain

September 17, 2012

Really exciting to get an email from Damian Martin in Spain this afternoon asking me about an osprey with a satellite transmitter. Quick exchange and he sends me the coordinates, some photos and the details recorded – it’s Aigan – photographed for the second time on migration.

Left leg – blue ring, white digits read AA3 Right leg – aluminium ring
16 Sept 2012 Cazalegas reservoir, Toledo province, Spain
Observers: Pablo Lopez and David Serrano
Photos: Pablo Lopez
Would love to know more (specially as we are trying to get more official protection for this artificial wetland).
Regards,
Damian Martin

What a wonderful network the ospreys create and I like to think that we help nature conservation people in other countries achhieve their aims for the protection of important wetlands. The following photos of Aigan were taken by Pablo Lopez – very many thanks Pablo

Aigan carrying fish

Aigan in flight – photos copyright Pabl Lopez

Long flights through Morocco

September 17, 2012

On 15th, Red 8T was well underway at 0900GMT and flew steadily through Morocco to roost overnight to the NE of Marrakesh and in the foothills below the mountains rising to M’Goun (4071m). Next day he started moving by 0600GMT but small movements until 0900GMT when he was over the big El Haouz reservoir. Red 8T crossed the mountains near Tichka Pass a nd then roosted in the deserts just N of the western part of Algeria, after a two day flight of 708 km

Migration on 15th and 16th September

Stopping on the River Taw at Barnstaple

September 16, 2012

Fearna continued to live along the River Taw valley and visit a trout fishery to the east of Barnstaple. I have had one birder email in to say he photographed an osprey near Chivenor and Fearna has been there at least once to fish.

Stopping over in NW Spain

September 16, 2012

Rothiemurchus has remained in the same area of NW Spain – obviously a favourite stop over location for him

Stopping over in Spain

September 16, 2012

Aigan has remained in exactly the same area west of Madrid, ranging for 17 km along the main river but mainly near Villa del Prado

September 10th to 14th

Settled down

September 16, 2012

Beatrice has stayed very much in her normal winter range throughout last ten days

Stan’s the Navigator – incredible first migration

September 15, 2012

Stan did not stop in Cheshire at dusk – he just kept flying through the night and when the tranmitter started its morning schedule at 0600GMT Stan was on the south side of Brittany flying south past Quiberon after flying 365 miles. He set off strongly our over the Bay of Biscay flying just west of south and after a strong flight made landfall over Santander on the North coast of Spain at 1500 hrs. He did not stop but headed SSW into the Cantabrian mountains. At 1700hrs he was at 1240 metres altitude flying SSW at 49kph but at 1900 hrs finally settled to roost in a wood on the other side of the mountain near Villanuno de Valdaria.

This was an incredible 1057 mile (1700 km) first migration – successfully crossing the appraocahes to the English Channel and the whole of the Bay of Biscay. He started at 10.30 am (0930GMT) and finally stopped migrating after 1800 GMT on 13th September. What a great start to his migration.

September 14, 2012

Introduction

Stan is a male osprey that was fitted with a satellite transmitter as a chick in 2012. To view further details about his movements and history click on his link on the left

https://www.roydennis.org/2012/09/14/introduction/