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Recent Events

Chicks New Identity

Exciting news from the Ospreys are back in Galloway nest and another momentous day for the youngest member of the family – our 2009 chick finally has an identity! After 34 often dramatic days appearing under the rather more unassuming name of ‘Chick’, we are proud to unveil “Blue BA” to the world.

 

 

 

 

 

At approximately 7pm Thursday evening we trooped off on a rare visit down to the nest - cameras, rings and climbing gear in hand. It is always an exciting and privileged experience for us to see an Osprey nest on our cameras, let alone in person, and furthermore at such incredibly close quarters. The experience left all who were present, especially we Seasonal Wildlife Attendants at our first ringing, with a wonderful moment to treasure.

Accompanied by members of the North Solway Ringing Group we conferred chick’s new identity upon her….. whoops did I say “her”?….. yes indeed, for we think she is a girl. Our good friend and expert tree climber Ciril scaled the Oak tree up into the nest and lowered BA to the ground while parents H/D and EP looked on from overhead. BA sat calmly in the arms of local Council Ranger Elizabeth Tindal while the blue coloured Darvic ring bearing her new identity was fitted. Whilst on the ground the opportunity was taken to make some measurements too, recorded by ringer John Skilling.

Details of the ringing as follows: Juvenile Osprey ringed by North Solway Ringing Group. Ciril Ostroznik and John Skilling.                 Darvic ring "BA" - white characters on royal blue background. BTO ring no. - 1408251. Weight - 1230g. Wing max - 520mm.

Wanda, Grace and myself were on hand to document the occasion with a wealth of photographs, as well as filming the whole event with our high definition video cameras from both above the nest and on the ground. Hopefully in our DVD story of the project at the end of the season, this footage will provide a fascinating insight into a rarely seen yet enormously valuable aspect of conservation work with birds of prey. Now we will be able to follow the life of Blue BA into the future when she returns from migration and enters the breeding population, wherever she may ultimately choose to set up her own nest and family.

It seems only fitting that in 2009, the year of Homecoming and celebrating the most famous of Gallovidians - Robert Burns, that BA was ringed in blue and white. And in matters concerning Galloway’s very own homecoming bird as opposed to the bard, 2004 Galloway fledged Osprey AW’s first chick will also soon be receiving a new identity. As always we shall keep you posted with latest news and photographs.