AR-News: (Scot) Osprey flies back to make it 50 years

[Ronda Roaring]

Wednesday March 24, 02:59 AM 

Osprey flies back to make it 50 years 
A MILESTONE in conservation was achieved yesterday when the first osprey of this year's breeding season returned to its nesting ground. 
Marking half a century of extraordinary effort to ensure the birds continue to prosper in Scotland, the large bird of prey flew into the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) Loch of the Lowes Reserve near Dunkeld at 8am. 
One enthusiast in particular had good reason to celebrate. Nine years of osprey-watching, much of it throughout the night, paid dividends for the reserve worker, Pete Fearns, who made the sighting, which was confirmed by Birdline Scotland as the first of the season. 
Mr Fearns, a former SWT volunteer, saw the female sitting on the same nest as last year, making it her 14th breeding season and meaning she is at least 16 years old. 
Speaking of the sighting, Mr Fearns said: "The arrival of the osprey this year has special significance, as 2004 is the 50th anniversary of the return of the bird to Scotland, following its localised extinction in 1916. 
"The Scottish Wildlife Trust is working with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Raptor Study Groups to celebrate this milestone in the history of the species' re-integration into our wildlife, which has only been possible thanks to the combined efforts of so many organisations and individuals across Scotland over the years." 
In the coming days, observers will be looking at the bird's distinctive head and chest markings, as well as watching to see if it uses the regular perches from last year to eliminate any doubt about her identity. 
Last year's sighting prompted particular controversy when the same bird proved that, just as humans possess the weakness of the roving eye in the case of an inattentive partner, so ospreys also succumb to the occasional extra-marital affair. 
Over a three-day period, the female mated "enthusiastically" with a young upstart, only for the affair to be brought to a speedy end by the arrival of her original mate, who promptly sent his rival packing. 
Although the female has again arrived earlier than her mate, experts say it is no cause for concern. 
Uwe Stoneman, the manager at the reserve, said: "It is no worry at this stage to see that the male has not yet returned. 
"Even though ospreys generally mate for life, it is very natural for them to come back at different times, and they may arrive anything up to ten days apart from one another. 
"Perhaps the most remarkable fact about these birds pairing up with the same partner each year is the fact that they do not spend any of the winter together. 
"That, possibly, could be the key to the longevity of the osprey's mating relationship." 
Mr Stoneman added: "There is definitely still a danger to Scotland's breeding osprey population from egg thieves. 
"We do, however, have stronger protection for these birds now, and as of last year stealing their eggs is an imprisonable offence. We still have to be very vigilant, and during this season there will be a group of about 70 local people who will be taking it in turn to keep a 24-hour watch over the nest site. 
"We also have night-vision cameras and all sorts of electronic gadgets to protect the ospreys. It is still very much a necessary precaution despite the fact that egg thieves are diminishing." 
Live web-camera pictures of the birds will again be screened in the reserve's visitor centre, thanks to a CCTV system provided by donations from local people and the heritage lottery fund. 
Today, experts estimate 160 pairs are established safely in the UK, chiefly in high and wild Scottish mountain country which was the home of their ancestors, and from which they were driven by the persecution of Victorian keepers and trophy-hunters. 
There are upwards of 100 breeding pairs in Scotland, and re-introduction schemes are taking place south of the Border to broaden the birds' territory. 
Ospreys sometimes soar at a considerable height, but when fishing they fly fairly low or even very close to the surface. Their keen eyes are able to detect fish even when the water is ruffled by a stiff breeze. 
They are strong, heavy birds, easily distinguished from other large hawks by their rounded wings and rather laboured movements when on patrol. 
They drop with tremendous force upon their prey and grip the fish in talons which, as Sir Thomas Browne observed 300 years ago, are "of an extraordinary roughness for the better fastening and holding". Sir Thomas also noted that ospreys sometimes seized coots on the Broads, but such departures from habit are exceptional. 
For the past two years, the osprey nest at the RSPB's Loch Garten reserve, just north of Aviemore, has produced no chicks, interrupting a successful breeding record of 43 years. Ollie, who nested there for 12 years, failed to return from his winter break in West Africa. For nine years he produced 15 chicks with his mate, Olive. 
Richard Thaxton, the Loch Garten site manager, said: "There can often be a season or two of flux, and that's what we have had for the past two years. We are hopeful for this year - and all fingers are crossed." 
By: JAMES REYNOLDS -- 24-Mar-04 


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