Inverclyde Now Logo OSPREY Breeding Success In Inverclyde Celebrated But Fears Second Pair Were Scared Away

5 August, 2020 | Local

The 2019 chicks
A past chick getting its identification ring

PARK rangers are celebrating the breeding success of a pair of ospreys in the Inverclyde countryside for the third year running — but fear a second pair was disturbed while nest building.

This year saw one chick successfully reared and fledged in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.

The rare bird of prey first bred in Clyde Muirshiel in 2018, with two chicks raised. This success was repeated in 2019 with three chicks fledging the nest.

Park staff were unable to put an identification ring on this year’s chick because of lockdown restrictions. When a site visit was finally possible, it was too old to approach.

It is also possible a second pair of ospreys was trying to nest but may have been disturbed during nest building.

A spokesperson for Clyde Murishiel said: “We ask that everyone keep their distance if they are aware or even suspect any birds are trying to nest — disturbance is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

“The ranger service is now looking into placing more osprey platforms over the winter in preparation for next season.”

Now fully grown, this year’s juvenile will be learning to hunt — feeding exclusively on fish — and fuelling up for its 6,000-mile African migration.

After a few years maturing, the ospreys return to Scotland to breed. It is possible that, if it is a male bird, it will return to the same area.

Adult ospreys return to their breeding grounds in April before laying eggs and rearing chicks throughout May, June and July. They will leave Scotland soon and migrate to central Africa.

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