Spring migration 2012

[goosey]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

Oostvaardseplassen is a stunning place, isn't it? Do they still have those Heck cattle there ( no wonder the Romans were a 'bit cautious' about Aurochs )?

Chris

You have been?

Stunning is the word, not beautiful like some landscapes but vast and breath taking. It must be a birders paradise with its wetland and reed beds, large areas of water and grasslands and the willow woodlands.There are some great observation centers too.
To see the large animals on the plains is incredible there are just sooo many, it is hard to believe you are in Holland.
In October the Staatsbosbeheer with the help of the Dutch air force flew over the land in helicopters (they can go lower than aircraft) did a large mammal count. There are 350 of the Heck cattle you mention, 1.150 Konik horses and 3.300 red deer. There are also roe deer, highland cattle some other sort of cattle and beevers among its population.


I will have to take some piccies next time I am there and write a proper post about it .

[chris butterworth]

Originally Posted by goosey

You have been?

Anyone that goes to Holland and doesn't visit should have their binoculars confiscated. For an area that was originally drained for industrial use it shows what can be done with patience and a surprisingly small amount of money.

Originally Posted by goosey

There are 350 of the Heck cattle you mention, 1.150 Konik horses and 3.300 red deer. There are also roe deer, highland cattle some other sort of cattle and beevers among its population.

It's nice to know the large mammal population is doing so well . I didn't know they had re-introduced Beaver there ( very different from the UK where we have landowners whining about the 'damage' Beaver would do to their estates ).

Chris

[goosey]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

Anyone that goes to Holland and doesn't visit should have their binoculars conficated. For an area that was originally drained for industrial use it shows what can be done with patience and a surprisingly small amount of money.



It's nice to know the large mammal population is doing so well . I didn't know they had re-introduced Beaver there ( very different from the UK where we have landowners whining about the 'damage' Beaver would do to their estates ).

Chris

I believe (I am not 100% sure but think I heard that ...) the beavers in the Oostvaardse were originally escapees from a wildlife park not far away in Leleystad. Now they are doing well and breeding and left to their own devices. The beavers here are not the only ones found in Holland, they are also found around Maas river area.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by goosey

It seems the remaining egg has run out of time and won't hatch now.
The one chick is grabbing all the attention and food, so every finger and toe crossed on this one that this chick survives.

The Lake District Osprey Project have an online diary and photostream so if you are interested you can keep up with the developements.


Flickr: Lake District Osprey Watch's Photostream

Good news, the remaining chick (named Lucky 13, now ringed and fitted with a tracking device) did survive and on Monday 16th July made a successful maiden flight. This was after after no amount of begging for food would the parents oblige so it was off, the proud parents flying with it.
I suppose it is too much to hope for for some decent piccies of any of the ospreys when I go to Cumbria in a few week .

[chris butterworth]

That's it for another year. Spring migration is over and Whimbrel are moving back south through the Wirral now. The build up of Sandwich, Common and Little Tern on West Kirby beach is in full swing and there was a 'mini-migration' of Sand Martin heading south over the house yesterday afternoon.

Chris

[goosey]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

That's it for another year. Spring migration is over and Whimbrel are moving back south through the Wirral now. The build up of Sandwich, Common and Little Tern on West Kirby beach is in full swing and there was a 'mini-migration' of Sand Martin heading south over the house yesterday afternoon.

Chris

Sounds as if it is about time to start a "Winter mgration 2012" thread .

Nothing to do with the migration but the birds in the garden have gone off somewhere or keeping a low pofile to moult.
I put out food yesterday morning around 7am and when I got back about 5.30pm most of it was still there.
The starlings adult and juveniles started getting their new coats a couple of weeks back.

[chris butterworth]

Originally Posted by goosey

Sounds as if it is about time to start a "Winter mgration 2012" thread .

Sound like it . Osprey over the village yesterday and reports of Marsh Harrier over Hilbre I. this morning. Winter draws on?

Chris