Cumbrian Osprey

[goosey]

Tuesday 17th April a male Osprey arrived Whinlatter Forest in Cumbria. It has been confirmed that the male is the same unringed male making his 7th visit. It is the latest it has ever returned. Lets hope the female follows very soon. Roll on July when I will be able to go and look for myself.

[canonman]

Hi Goosey
Lets hope for the best and the female comes back.
Mick

[The Woodman]

For the last few years I have had good close quarter views of Ospreys at Esthwaite Water near Hawkshead. I'm not aware of nesting in that area, but birds are there regularly.

[JeffH]

Yes, saw a report about the arrival of the Bassenthwaite Osprey in today's paper - that's great news.

Also good to hear they're being seen a little further south around Esthwaite.

It's a few years since I did any birding in the Lakes - does anyone know if the Golden Eagles have nested at the head of the Haweswater valley in recent years?

Jeff

[The Woodman]

There's only been a solitary male there for a couple of years Jeff. The original pair were together since 1981 and the old male disappeared Oct 2001 and was replaced with a younger adult by the end of 2001. No eggs were laid in 2003 for the third consecutive year. In 2004, the female died. I believe the male continues to display in '05/'06 but I havn't heard anything this season nor been up there. I saw one two years ago quartering Crookdale west of the A6 but that was probably the solitary male.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by goosey

Tuesday 17th April a male Osprey arrived Whinlatter Forest in Cumbria. It has been confirmed that the male is the same unringed male making his 7th visit. It is the latest it has ever returned. Lets hope the female follows very soon. Roll on July when I will be able to go and look for myself.

Today a Female Osprey has been seen flying over Bassenthwaite, but she isn't one of the original pair, So I wonder what will happen if and when the other female turns up?

[The Woodman]

A good number of ospreys call in on waterbodies during their migration northward during the spring goosey. You say she isn't one of the original pair so must have been identifiable.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

A good number of ospreys call in on waterbodies during their migration northward during the spring goosey. You say she isn't one of the original pair so must have been identifiable.

Hi Woodman, I heard the story on BBC Radio Cumbria this morning and posted the news.
It is really good to be able to follow the osprey news through their webcams and diary updates. It is worth a look.
Here is todays entry for the Radio Cumbria Osprey Diary.

Ospreywatch
Friday 20th April 2007 A new female osprey has been spotted on the nest at Bassenthwaite Lake.The project team has had a number of enquiries over the last few days from eagle eyed osprey enthusiasts who have been watching live pictures of the nest at the Forestry Commission’s Whinlatter Visitor Centre and on the internet. Fish King, the male osprey that has been nesting at the same site in the Lake District for six years, was seen a number of times during the day in the company of another osprey.What everyone wanted to know was whether this bird was Fish King’s long standing partner, called GreenXS after the markings on a ring around one of her legs, or a new bird. After zooming in on the female, using a camera inside the nest, Project staff were able to confirm that this is a new osprey that has no ring. Live pictures from a camera overlooking the nest are beamed to a giant videowall at the Visitor Centre, near Braithwaite. The Centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

[The Woodman]

Thanks for the info goosey, despite living in Cumbria I rarely listen to BBC Cumbria since Foot & Mouth disease. The daily reports etc at the time .......nuff said. Glad you're following the progress and thanks for the info on Bass Lake, I will listen because what happens there reflects on osprey movement in the region.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

There's only been a solitary male there for a couple of years Jeff. The original pair were together since 1981 and the old male disappeared Oct 2001 and was replaced with a younger adult by the end of 2001. No eggs were laid in 2003 for the third consecutive year. In 2004, the female died. I believe the male continues to display in '05/'06 but I havn't heard anything this season nor been up there. I saw one two years ago quartering Crookdale west of the A6 but that was probably the solitary male.

Thanks for the update Woodman - what a shame to have lost what I believe at the time was thought to be England's only breeding pair. I have very fond memories of observing them during several breeding seasons in the late 80s. Also of Peregrine in the Kentmere valley.

Jeff

[goosey]

A bit of new news on the Cumbrian Osprey front.
On 30th April one egg was laid, it is hoped more will follow. Although if it is this particular females first clutch , one or two eggs would be normal. Usually with an older female 3 eggs can be expected. Incubation time is 34 - 40 days.

[goosey]

A second egg was laid yesterday to our Osprey pair!

[Garden Carpet]

This is exciting news...

jaki

ps...what colour should we knit in?

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

This is exciting news...

jaki

ps...what colour should we knit in?

Hope you have plenty of wool?

Even better news Jaki, a third egg was laid 06-05-07, thats a full clutch.

[JeffH]

That's great news Goosey - let's hope they all hatch and all 3 chicks survive.

Jeff

[buzfuz8149]

Whinlatter and Grizedale are on my list for visits this year - will try to time the Whinlatter one for the Osprey chicks.

Carol.

[goosey]

Good news. Two of thr three eggs have hatched over night, within hours of each other. This is unusual as there is normally a gap of at least a day. So fingers crossed the last egg hatches ok.

[JeffH]

That's great news goosey. Thanks for keeping us posted.

Jeff

[goosey]

It is not looking hopeful that the third egg will hatch now unless it hatches in the next couple of hours. It was unusual that the female laid three for her first clutch, but it's still very dissapointing.

[JeffH]

Thanks for the further update Goosey - yes, it's a shame about the 3rd egg but let's just hope the 2 chicks thrive and survive.

Jeff

[goosey]

Phew! The third egg has hatched and a third chick has been spotted in the nest. This was most unsuspected, Monday was the dead line.
I will be back in Cumbria in a few weeks so will be able to see for myself. I doubt I will get many bril' photo's as my camera isn't upto that sort distance but I will enjoy just being able to observe .

[Garden Carpet]

Goosey, your excitement over these birds communicates itself through your posts. I hope you have good sightings of these wonderful birds. For me, any pictures would be good.
Have fun
jaki

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by goosey

Phew! The third egg has hatched and a third chick has been spotted in the nest.

Brilliant news goosey - good luck with the photos when you visit

Jeff

[goosey]

Hi, I was at Dodd Wood yesterday at the Osprey observation platform above the shores of Bassenthwaite. It was areally good experience although the weather wasn't so good, there was low cloud and drizzle. Even so I was able to see the female on the nest, though none of the chicks sadly. The great thing was I saw the male sore down into the lake and emerge with a fish, he took back to the nest! I also saw him chase off a buzzard which got too close. I must say how brilliant the volunteers there were - directing us visually to exact points where the ospreys were and there were huge telescopes set up for the public (no charge) with which I was able to see far more than with my own bins. The Ospreys are nested on the opposite shore of the lake. While we were there we saw Red Squirrels which was an extra plus. Later we went over to the Whinlatter Forest visitor center and were able to watch the nest on large screens via the web cams and see in much more detail.
I would love another chance to go and have a look while we are here, but there is so much to fit in. The worst thing was I didn't get a photo - it was impossible, apart from my camera being much too inferior to take pic's at the distance the birds would have been to fast for me anyway. Iam just so pleased though, to be able to have seen them at all.

[Pete Collins]

Sorry if this is slightly off topic, but Goosey's last post mentioned the Whinlatter Forest visitor centre - that is also a great place for seeing Siskins, which regualarly visit the bird feeders there. In fact, I think the Cafe or Restaurant there is called The Siskin.