{"id":38461,"date":"2024-07-08T11:11:29","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T09:11:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/65fa8d4c-6cce-4140-a210-0f84032a9b20"},"modified":"2024-07-08T12:26:39","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T10:26:39","slug":"hes-off-his-game-osprey-chicks-removed-from-scottish-nest-and-flown-to-spain-as-dad-fails-to-deliver","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/hes-off-his-game-osprey-chicks-removed-from-scottish-nest-and-flown-to-spain-as-dad-fails-to-deliver\/","title":{"rendered":"“He’s off his game.” Osprey chicks removed from Scottish nest and flown to Spain as dad fails to deliver"},"content":{"rendered":"

Concern for two precious osprey chicks has led to an unorthodox relocation project. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Monday, 08 July 2024 at 09:11 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Conservationists in Scotland have taken an unusual step to save two osprey chicks at Loch Arkaig, removing them from their Highland home and relocating them to Spain.<\/strong><\/p>

The decision to intervene was made after the male osprey \u2013 known as Louis \u2013 was observed bringing an inadequate number of fish back to the nest to sustain his chicks.\u00a0<\/p>

At the same time, there was the opportunity for the chicks to enter a reintroduction project in Spain.<\/p>

“We think it would be needlessly dogmatic to let the chicks die when this option is available,\u201d says George Anderson, a spokesperson at Woodland Trust Scotland<\/a>. <\/p>

“We waited to see if Louis’ performance would pick up but it hasn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>

Watch: osprey chicks nearly get blown off their Scottish nest in a gale. Credit: Woodland Trust Scotland<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Birds of prey guide: how to identify UK raptors and where to see them<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Louis has become famous in recent years, thanks to the Woodland Trust\u2019s live nest webcam<\/a> at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest<\/a> in Lochaber. He initially mated with Alia until 2020, but she didn\u2019t reappear after migration<\/a> in 2021. <\/p>
He then joined up with Dorcha and they settled at a new nest. This year, they hatched three chicks, two of which have survived.\u00a0<\/p>
Louis the osprey fishing at Loch Arkaig earlier in the summer. Credit: Gareth Overton<\/figcaption><\/figure>
However, Louis \u201chas been off his game recently\u201d and failing to bring back enough fish for Dorcha and the chicks. <\/p>
Male ospreys hunt for prey for the whole family. In previous years, he has been a good hunter and provider, normally bringing back four or five fish \u2013 even up to nine on one day. But this year he has only been bringing back one or no fish at all.\u00a0<\/p>
Whilst it is thought that the bad weather may be playing a part \u2013 and indeed, other nests seem to be having a tough time as well this year \u2013 it is thought that Louis is performing particularly badly, and it has been suggested that this may be his age, or perhaps an illness.<\/p>
The two chicks were removed from the nest by a licensed raptor worker and given to the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation<\/a>, which is part of the project to reintroduce ospreys to the Valencia region in Spain. It is believed that the chicks have a better chance of survival via this project than being left in the wild at Loch Arkaig.<\/p>
Watch: Loch Arkaig osprey family gather for the final time ahead of the relocation. Credit: Woodland Trust Scotland<\/figcaption><\/figure>
More wildlife stories<\/strong><\/p>
Strange tropical seabird from the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands spotted in Dorset<\/a><\/li>
Meet the highly venomous weever fish, which lurks just below the\u00a0low water mark\u00a0on our shores<\/a><\/li>
“Surreal” bioluminescent plankton turn the Wales coast blue<\/a><\/li>
Strange blue animals are washing up on Guernsey\u2019s beaches. Scientists think they know why<\/a><\/li><\/ul> <\/body><\/html>\n
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