For the first time ever, we had some truly terrible weather for this year’s first Osprey morning on June 2, with most of the 53 volunteer observers making superhuman efforts and getting very wet in the process. But despite the adverse conditions, we still collected valuable data on at least three of our known males in the Three-Lakes region. However there were no observations in the Doubs and Drugeon basins in nearby France nor in the Swiss Jura, the weather there being even worse than in the plain.
As almost always, Arthur (F12) at Hagneck did not disappoint. An Osprey (most probably him) was spotted there three times between 6:15 and 6:50, although too far away to see rings. But just when the observers moved to a better viewpoint, he of course disappeared! Finally at 8:15 Arthur (this time his ring was read) appeared with a big fish, which he ate before preening until well after the “official” end of the Osprey morning at 10 am.
In the Grande Cariçaie where Olympe (F28) has his territory, an Osprey was first seen at 5:38, flying with a small fish in his talons over a large area and showing off to several teams of observers before disappearing inland at 06:08. Then around 07:30 one (presumably the same bird) was spotted again, first perching and then catching a huge fish. Which he then took a long time to eat and digest, before preening until well after 11:30, when the last tenacious observer packed his bags to go home. Although the blue ring on his right leg could not be read, it was almost certainly Olympe.
Racine (F29) was spotted at Bellechasse from 06:00-06:43, preening but with no fish, possibly having already eaten his breakfast somewhere else. He was then not seen again until 10:02 – maybe he had remained hidden in a tree under the pouring rain? In any case he didn’t show up at the Fanel Nature Reserve (one of his favorite fishing sites), nor at the Lake of Morat or on the Aare River by Niederried where he is also known to fish at times.
Great thanks go to an amazingly dedicated team (see some of them that shared sodden souvenirs of the morning above). We may have other surprises (and almost certainly better weather) for the next Osprey Morning scheduled for Sunday June 23. If you are ready to get up before dawn, and help (until 10am) clarify known Osprey territories and maybe even discover new ones, please do not hesitate to contact us here!
