Holiday Brochures | Contact us

Browse Old Articles

Safari of the week

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL DETAILS OR TO BOOK.

Loch Garten Ospreys untangled from fishing tackle

03/06/2009 06:42:58

osprey update

UK Ospreys 2009 - Click here for an update on some of he better known of the UK's ospreys

June update - Loch Garten ospreys untangled.

Following the news that the famous ospreys at Loch Garten had become entangled in fishing tackle, it's with great relief that staff have observed that both seem to have managed to free themselves.

Richard Thaxton, RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Osprey Centre Manager said: "We're relieved that the birds seem to have managed to free themselves from the fishing line that they'd both picked up. Odin seems to have got free but has a few damaged feathers to show for it, and we hope this will not harm his fishing efforts. From the damage he sustained we can only conclude he did get tangled up for a period of hours sometime this early morning when he was unexpectedly absent from the nest. We think his mate EJ has managed to shed the piece in her mouth, and she is now brooding her week old chicks.

Odin has returned with just one fish today, but the chicks seem ok. We're really pleased as it could have spelt disaster for the nest and starvation for the chicks, but we still would ask all anglers to be especially careful to retrieve and safely dispose of broken or discarded line and tackle. We will be approaching the National Park in the Cairngorms to initiate an education campaign on this. "

Loch Garten ospreys face fishing tackle disaster
May 2009. Loch Garten RSPB's famous ospreys are facing disaster with the sad news that both adult birds have become entangled in discarded fishing tackle, with the male bird currently trailing around 40 feet of line. Options for removing the lines are currently being explored, with the future of the three recently hatched chicks in the nest depending on fit and healthy parents providing regular food.

Both adult ospreys at Loch Garten are in danger as they have both got some fishing line attached to them. Copyright Chris Gomersall/RSPBimages.com

Aberfoyle osprey also entangled - Now disappeared
Discarded fishing line poses a significant threat to ospreys; as these avian anglers rely on some of the same lochs for food that humans use for recreational fishing. Within the last fortnight, another male osprey disappeared after being seen entangled in discarded line at another nest at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park & the David Marshall Lodge near Aberfoyle, and the nesting attempt there subsequently failed. It's vital that anglers are made aware of these risks, and don't leave any kit lying around.

3 chicks hatched
All seemed well at the nest this season, with new male Odin and regular female EJ successfully hatching 3 chicks right on cue last Friday, and supplying a steady stream of food to the nest. However, it seems that Odin's fishing prowess has led him in to danger, with an estimated 40 foot plus length of fishing line seen dangling from his legs. Additionally, EJ has a short 6 inch piece lodged in her beak.

Richard Thaxton, Loch Garten RSPB Centre Manager said: "Everything was going brilliantly, but unfortunately this has the real potential to ruin this year's osprey season. It's vital that anglers don't leave discarded fishing tackle lying around, especially at this time of year, as Odin and his offspring are now in real danger. He could become entangled on almost anything, and we're really worried about him bringing food back to the nest and the potential consequences. We're considering ways to safely catch him and disentangle him without too much risk as this may be a better option than leaving him to get stuck somewhere while on a fishing trip."

People can follow the drama and keep up with the latest news by visiting www.rspb.org.uk/lochgartenlive

Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment

To post a comment you must be logged in.
CLICK HERE TO LOG IN AND POST A COMMENT

New user? Register here

Name:
Email:

Click join and we will email you with your password. You can then sign on and join the discussions right away.

Created by Wild Dog Design & Bright Interactive