Ospreys

Hello

An Osprey ably photographed by Lee Willcocks at Mary's Lake, Earls Barton Pits on 8th May this spring was colour-ringed. Research shows that this bird was ringed as a nestling at a confidential site near Eidsberg, Ostfold in south east Norway on 7th July 2021. It was one of a brood of two and Lee's sighting is the first report of it since it's initial migration. It is speculated that it may be on it's way to it's natal area in Norway.

Another Osprey, Blue 079, was ringed as a nestling at a nest in Northamptonshire on 5th July 2021. This male bird was the only bird raised from that nest and he fledged on 16th July and then migrated on 23rd August that autumn. Blue 079 wasn't seen again until 2nd February 2023 when he was sighted at Parque Natural Bahia de Cadiz in Spain suggesting he probably wintered in Spain rather than continuing on to Africa. There is a growing trend among UK Ospreys to do this and it probably reduces the risk of migration mortality. On 8th May 2023 this bird was at Farmoor in Oxfordshire, not far from it's natal area.

My thanks to Lee Willcocks and Tim Mackrill for this information.

Ten Hobbies were again at Summer Leys LNR today and at Thrapston Pits the Titchmarsh reserve attracted nine Hobbies and thirty-two Black-tailed Godwits (the godwits flew SE by 12.40pm).

A Cuckoo was near Hardwick this evening and a calling Cuckoo remains at Pitsford Reservoir north of the causeway with a Kingfisher and a Raven family present too.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included five Hobbies, a Common Sandpiper, an Oystercatcher, a Common Snipe, two Cuckoos and three Cetti's Warblers.

Regards

Neil M

The Norwegian Osprey
photographed by Lee
Willcocks on 8th May 2023.

The Walgrave Bay, Pitsford Reservoir
this evening courtesy of Jane Neil.

Tawny Owl at Pitsford Reservoir
this evening courtesy of 
Jane Neil.

 This mature bird was first
ringed on the reserve as an adult
on 26th March 2019, and was
assessed as an adult female following
  a re-capture on 13th May 2021.