Since the spring of this year, I’ve been proud and honoured to be a collaborator and to form part of the support team of the Osprey Reintroduction Project to the Pego-Oliva Marsh Natural Park in the Valencian Community of Eastern Spain. This incredible journey has involved two trips to the Scottish Highlands with Itzy Colodro Sainz and later with Carlos Torralvo, both of Fundación Migres, where we worked very closely with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. During the second trip, 12 Osprey chicks were carefully selected and taken from suitable nests, all under strict licensing conditions, and were subsequently housed, monitored and fed, using stringent bio-security measures and protocol.
At RSPB Loch Garten in the Scottish Highlands, the home of Osprey Conservation in the UK
We had the pleasure of forming a very close-knit team with Ian Perks, constantly supported by Natalie Perks and a few other “unsung heroes” whose tireless input and determination kept the project moving forwards. Despite a few difficulties along the way, mainly to do with beaurocracy and quite complex legal documentation, the team worked as one to overcome any obstacles, and 12 Osprey chicks were finally translocated to Spain in July.
One of the first Osprey chicks to be collected
Once in Spain, the chicks were placed in specially designed pens, in which they were fed and monitored. Their growth and behaviour were carefully observed, and after around 2 weeks, it was considered time to open the pens and release them. This is always a very “nervy” moment as one can never be sure how the birds will behave once released, but thanks to a superb team of volunteers who helped to track their movements, the birds were followed carefully, and at nightfall, all except one of the birds were roosting at the release site.
The team in Scotland, the day before the chicks were translocated to Spain
The project, directed by the Generalitat Valenciana in partnership with Fundacion Migres is supported by Fundacion Iberdrola, and the Town Halls of Pego, Oliva, Xabia and Denia. This year marks the first of a five year phase in which 12 Osprey chicks will be translocated from Scotland to Spain each year, with the objective of re-establishing this magnificent and unique raptor as a breeding species in this area.
Once in the pens, the chicks were monitored using cameras to avoid disturbance
At the time of writing, the birds continue to be fed at the site, preparing them for their anticipated imminent migration to west Africa, from where we hope they’ll eventually return to Spain to breed.
Itziar with one of the Ospreys during the radio and GPS tagging process.
After so much hard work and dedication by some exceptional people, it really is quite an emotional experience to see these birds flying, growing and developing so well. Huge respect to all who have made such a positive contribution to this extremely important project. You are too many to name, but you know who you are!
Early morning on the day of their release
Nightfall, and the birds were roosting at the release site.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Valencia Birding.