Winged Messenger - Feed the Birds

Bluebird of Happiness: The Blue Tit

Don't forget to feed the birds this winter!

Bird Feeding Stations

As always when we arrive at the Garrique we receive the warmest of welcomes from Fiona, a freshly picked bunch of flowers from the garden and bowl full of fresh, free range eggs from the farm. A proper highland welcome.

We exchange information about the farm, the wildlife and the birds. Fiona is very fond of the bird life around the farm and encourages and feeds it throughout the arduous winter. Thus, ensuring a chorus of birdsong not only to greet you each morning and evening, but also to accompany you on your daily walks around the forest.

Unfortunately, in return we bring the modern trappings of an everyday European couple and their high tech gadgets, which we very quickly and willingly, learn to do without.

Having established ourselves in the cottage and over a warm tea or coffee we take stock of the birds coming and going. Lots of familiar friends from last year but maybe not in as many numbers as before.

The winter has taken it's toll, over and above the natural predators; the kestrels, sparrowhawks and buzzards.

Nothing for it but to set up the bird feeding stations, to fatten the little rascals up as quickly as possible, so we can get them into good breeding condition for the Spring and the task of caring for their young.

The birds are naturally nervous of the feeding stations but are soon encouraged by the constant attention and cheeky nature of the local Chaffinches. Always first to arrive and willing to take a chance where food is on offer.

Scotland's oldest Osprey returns to Perthshire

The UK's oldest known breeding female osprey has returned to Scotland for the 20th consecutive year.

The female bird has amazed staff at the Scottish Wildlife Trust's (SWT) Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve.

It was spotted landing on its usual nesting site, known as an eyrie, on Tuesday, having completed a 3,000 mile migration from West Africa.

At an estimated 25 years old, she has reached three times the average lifespan of an osprey.

Emma Rawling, SWT's Perthshire ranger, said: "We are truly amazed at the tenacity and endurance of this particular female osprey.

"Defying her age, she has made it back to us again and from initial sightings she looks lin remarkably good condition."

It is expected that the female osprey's breeding partner, a male osprey identified with a green leg ring, will arrive within a week.

This resident male will then chase away any other males that may be hovering around, before the happy couple renew their bond and start breeding.

'Bated breath'
The female osprey is known to have laid 55 eggs, 46 of which hatched into live chicks, grew to maturity, left the nest and headed off on th elong and dangerous flight to Africa.

Hopefully, these young adults will return to Scotland to establish their own eyrie and raise another generation of ospreys.

Ms Rawling added: "We will be watching the nest with bated breath to see if our female can hatch any chicks again this year."

Throughout the breeding season the eyrie is visible, via an unobtrusive nest camera, on screens in the visitor centre and on the trust's website.

A team of about 70 volunteers watch the nest 24 hours a day to safeguard any eggs from vandals, thieves and poachers.

Mainly through the dedication of the RSPB, amateur ornithologists and a generous, enthusiastic public, about 200 pairs of osprey are currently known to breed in Scotland.

Why Migrate
Birds migrate to Northern locations to make use of the longer days. Raising young birds is very labour intensive and the chicks require a steady source of protein. The adult birds need to spend every waking hour feeding their young.

Breeding and raising their chicks in the north enables them to spend the maximum amount of time hunting and feeding their young.