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Posted

Bassenthwaite osprey chicks killed by magpies

 

24 May 2016

 

 From the sectionCumbria

 

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Image copyrightLDOPImage captionPictures from a nest camera showed there was only one remaining chick instead of three

 

Two newly hatched osprey chicks have been stolen by magpies in Cumbria.

 

A chicks' mother and father had returned to the nest in Bassenthwaite at Easter for the fourth year running, producing a trio of eggs in six days.

 

The first of the three chicks hatched on Thursday, with the other two birds arriving over the weekend.

 

But the Lake District Osprey Project said Monday was a "sad day", when the team saw only one chick was on the nest.

 

A spokesman said it was a "bleak" outlook for the remaining chick as it is "very likely" that the magpies would return.

 

Image copyrightLDOPImage captionThe trio of eggs were produced at Easter

 

It is not known if the birds, which often take scraps of fish from the osprey's nest, had eaten the chicks.

 

Ospreys returned to the area in 2001 after an absence of more than 150 years, and nearly 30 chicks have been raised at the nest since.

 

The birds fly south to Africa during late autumn, returning to the UK towards the start of April.

 

came across this tonight while on bbc news follow link to australian news and its at the bottom of page the article I've just noticed is dated from 24th may what a f up however think if you go to bbc news online you might find it dont see any other way .

Guest johnhunter
Posted

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-363679648

well now could this be the reason why we are encouraged to kill corvids and why the RSPCB does nothing to help them when in plight

Think its time to look after these much maligned birds?

all the best

sandy

be outside giving them some toast in the morning ...

remember and put a bit oh cyanide on it.

Posted

Be wary of magpies, they hunt in packs and will raid every nest they can get at - including in your loft, eating eggs and young.

 

Got a wee bit of a surprise since moving house up here, a pair of wood pigeons nest in a conifer in the next garden. Heard one hell of a stushie coming from the tree, with something at the wrong end of the loudest wing-bat I've ever heard. At first thought it was a dispute between two pairs claiming the same tree. Then saw a magpie fleeing the tree. Thuds continued until a second magpie left the tree. Cock wood pigeon saw both of them off; lost a few feathers in the fight though. But the magpies came back a week or so later and robbed the nest.

Posted

We didn't have any magpies in this area until about five years ago. After seeing the first pair, their numbers have increased considerably and every time I'm in the garden there are several magpies in the trees. Counted 6 in one tree yesterday.

Guest johnhunter
Posted

one of the most deadly predators of song bird and small bird nest,, raiders , black and white rats emoticon-0127-lipssealed.gif

spot on

Guest johnhunter
Posted

A block of cheese pinned to the ground and you can clear all local magpies in one day so I've heard :emoticon-0136-giggle:

red or white cheese ?

Guest johnhunter
Posted

Surely if they are taking bop eggs young we need to rethink this strategy ...

sandy

I would not class the osprey a bird of prey

Posted

I never said ospreys were likely to take birds but if magpies are taking their eggs it stands to reason that they will be taking bop eggs and youngsters given the chance .Don't you think ?

all the best

sandy

 

Also think that all birds with talons are classed as birds of prey .But I stand to be corrected

all the best

sandy

Guest johnhunter
Posted

I never said ospreys were likely to take birds but if magpies are taking their eggs it stands to reason that they will be taking bop eggs and youngsters given the chance .Don't you think ?

all the best

sandy

 

Also think that all birds with talons are classed as birds of prey .But I stand to be corrected

all the best

sandy

no chance a magpie will take a peregrines eggs

Posted

Ospreys do come under Birds Of Prey although as you say mainly fish eaters, we did have a clip on here of a carrion crow fighting a hen sparrowhawk off her nest and stealing eggs so corvids do have some use

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