Raising Aussie Osprey #3

Yikes! I guess I was way off the mark!

That could be Z9... on the last photo there; it should be right-way up with respect to the address (see below). It may take several shots over a few days to get a full sequence of the numbers round the ring (from different angles, or for the ring to get spun round the leg).

Here's a ring (off a deceased Herring Gull) to show the layout, number above the return address; the full inscription is (above) 4837 YZ 4837 (the Y above the Z, but I can't type that here!!), and below INFORM BRIT. MUSEUM LONDON SW7:

Resin

The last figure does look like 9! Your editing must be better than mine! I can see how a 9 could look like s 3 though, lol. Hey that's a different pic and better angle!

Yes it is Z9

Well don't forget that Margaret has the original! We'll have to wait until she wakes up for more info!

Looking at the original (via Mrs. Ed) - I believe that the band is upside down. Large numbers should be on the bottom, and are easier to read when inverted.

Still not much to make out though. 8621, or 9321 - there is a 9 in a second picture, but doesn't seem to follow the same sequence. I am unable to make out the top text or numbers.

Maybe fresh eyes will see more.

This message was edited Dec 9, 2008 6:22 PM

Dave's Detectives!!! LOL!

thanks Roque for your camera raw detective work. Margaret is going to try to find more files later today.

If the rain clears I'll head off there later this afternoon. Now, if I miss Aussies first flight because I'm focussing on a metal leg band..............!

oh no!! don't miss the flight! the leg band can wait.

Eh, Margaret ..... a three-legged Osprey. I like it ..... a real rare bird !!!

See the flight! Forget the band.

I've been back to the nest the last two days and Aussie still hasn't branched. The chick remains healthy and active. It's still being fed by Mum, but is also feeding itself, tearing at the fish with gusto.

This isn't a good shot, but I think it shows the size difference between the male and female birds quite well. Aussie's in the middle, Mum's on the right and noticeably larger and that's poor old henpecked Dad on the left. Surprisingly she didn't chase him off today, but I think she's brainwashed him well and he flew off voluntarily after about three minutes. Judging by Aussie's thighs, I reckon it's a female.

Nice pic of the whole family. Margaret. It's good to see them together for a change.

It was good to see, GP. I was feeling really quite sad for the poor male. He's such a good provider and he's not been allowed to interact with the chick. I suppose that's an anthropomorphic view though, isn't it?

Here's a shot of him leaving.

As with all your pics Margaret, all are great but so far my favorite is the one time stamped 5:04am of the whole family! Who is who? Lee

Been lurking.

These are such great shots. What a wonderful thread. Can't say enough about it. I want to thank you again for sharing this with us. What a wonderful thing for you to do!

I had to say, the thigh remark almost made me spit my coffee! You are as funny as you are talented in your photography.

The last picture is incredible.

LOL Marg! Yep, Aussie must be a girl because her thighs look like mine...short and stubby ;o)) I am glad to see that Dad got to join the family, if only for a few minutes.

I thought that women would be able to readily relate to the thighs comment, because even if they aren't "chunky" our perception is that they are.

Glad you've been following the chicks progress, cpartschick.

Lee, your 5.04am is my 7.04pm. In that shot, the female is on the right of the pic, the male on the left and the chick's in the middle.

This is a shot of the male after he'd been thrown out of home yesterday. He spent about two hours on a low branch quite close to the water.

Margaret, thanks for your response. Was wondering, will he be permanently shunned? Lee

Maybe the Mrs. just thinks that he's ready to start the process all over again, if ya' know what I mean!

Know exactly what you mean, Mrs Ed. LOL

Lee, I don't think he will be permanently shunned. Once the chick has fledged, I imagine the adult pair will go back to several months of quiet, contented, distant friendship................until next August.

Thanks Margaret. Hope they repeat the process. Lee

Is amazing how small the male looks in comparison...I think you are right about Aussie being female!

Did I tell you I had the cutest little squirrel coming this summer. It had the cutest little ears that reminded me of a Koala Bear so I had named it ...yup... Aussie!

Nanny, that's so cute. Is the squirrel still around?

Lee, I don't think they will breed again until next year (I'm not sure if that's what you meant). We're now in summer and things will really start hotting up later this month or early in January. It's not unusual for us to have run of high 30's to low 40's (Celsius, not Fahrenheit) and with the nest being in full sun, it would be impossible for a chick to survive.

I'd agree with 'Aussie' being female - look at that strong brown breast band, that's the main character for distinguishing female Ospreys.

Resin

Congratulations Margaret.....It's a girl! And what a beauty she has become...I could almost cry!!

Don't cry, Rose or you'll set me off.

I was going to wait until the female could be ID'd via the leg band, but the reach of my lens isn't quite enough to get such fine detail and we haven't been able to photoshop sharpen it enough to read the information. There's only one solution. I need a longer lens!

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