A Prial of Ospreys.. definitely a winning hand!!

Eureka……………….. 3^nd April 2018 11.05am, the first Osprey of 2018 called in at Carsington Water, just long enough for a look round, a quick hover, and then continued North, presumably on towards Scotland.

Simon Roddis of Carsington Bird Club was the first spotter, and Pat and Gill (ST Volunteers) were ready and on  duty in the Wildlife Centre to see the first Osprey of the year. Pat’s phone then went into overdrive mode, with texting the news. Sadly, the Osprey only stayed 6/7 minutes, and there was no ring identification.

This is just as a reminder of a previous visitor to Carsington (which turned out to be “00”).

  

…………….. and then 4th April 2018 - the next day…………….. spotted at 10.45, ANOTHER one….. or was it the same bird having had a quick B&B in Derbyshire?   Alas we will not know.

But what is for sure is that the place to be is about 4 feet behind Simon Roddis, a diligent patch worker who is proof of how well patchworking can pay off.  

I had a foray back through my records to compare the first sightings at Carsington, since the Osprey nests were erected in 2010. As you can see the first 7 days of April have been good, and this is why I added the BwB bonus walk on the second Sunday in April each year.

2011                 April 2

2012                 April 2

2013                May 31

2014                April 6

2015                April 6

2016                April 1

2017                March 20

2018                April 3

The earliest 10-year sighting was in 2010 (by Simon again!), and the latest first sighting was in 2013 virtually 60 days late. My recollections were that 2013 was a very stormy spring, and research showed that whilst there were no fewer Ospreys in the UK, many migrants flew North following a more westerly route through Devon, Wales and the west coast, hence our late first sighting was one of a few. And 2013 was a year with a low migrant count.

NEWS EXTRA

Rumours are spreading along the north Devon coast that planning permission is being sought for the EX35 postal zone to be designated a site of special wildlife interest.

The applicant, a serious supporter of the late Sir Peter Scott and a Lifetime season ticket holder for the WWT  (amongst others), has been undertaking serious observation and record keeping of his garden and the adjacent locale, and is not only attracting interesting bird life, but some 4-legged species as well.

His camera trap is the talk of the neighbourhood, (and I believe Neighbourhood watch), as it is revealing all sorts of night-time activities that the boys in blue were not aware of.  Chief Inspector Subbuteo is quite happy that the equipment is for a hobby not entailing trapping, nor for any other monetary/illegal gain or purpose (HMR&C please note) and said that as long as he can get copies some of the more attractive birds in the neighborhood, he will approve the installation, without any planning permission requirement. 

And this is what has been identified in EX35 this week and justifies the application by Mr.Bridge. Admittedly Hawfinches have been far from scarce this Winter, but when they come to your feeder that is a real bonus.

Oh my gawd…. A double Eureka !!! Text message from Carsington Water this afternoon, passing on the gist of a telephone call from a member of the public who at 16.15 watched an Osprey flying in to Middle Wood (east side of the Res) to roost.  What a wonderful week for Ospreys, but what a shame the 15 people on the BwB walk had left by lunchtime. 

So we have the question.... have we had 1, 2 or 3 birds? I wish we knew.

Anyway, let's hope one takes to a nest,. then our problems will start!!!… last time I looked at a nest, there were a pair of Canada Geese in situ!!

Looks like a good month – enjoy your birding