There is an osprey viewing centre at County Buildings, Wigtown
"Ospreys are back in Galloway" is proud to announce that their chick has reached that age where a ring is an appropriate present. It has been given a ring; a metal band that circles the chicks right leg and is specially engraved with 1392805. We will now always know that Zero Five is our chick.
The County Buildings volunteers gathered to watch on the camera in the Wigtown while Ciril Ostronznik, "Ospreys are back in Galloway" tree climber, climbed up to the nest and showed us all the chick before lowered it down to the ground where Jon Warren of the North Solway Ringing group to put on the ring that it will wear for the rest of it's life. Ciril and Jon both agree that the chick is healthy and in very good condition.
While Zero Five was being rung a few feathers were collected and these will be sent away to Glasgow University where they will be DNA tested and the results should let us know something about the family history of our birds and what sex the chick is for definite. It is hoped that these tests will be carried out on all the "Ospreys are back in Galloway" chicks from now on so that we can build up more information on the spread of ospreys throughout Scotland and beyond.
Everyone hopes that there will be another ringing in the next few days, the County Buildings bells! These will be rung to celebrate when our chick flies for the first time. It is never easy to predict when the "Ospreys are back in Galloway" chicks will fly it being very dependent on muscle development and weather. This single chick has been fed very well and can almost be seen growing minute by minute so it should be in the next 7 to 14 days. This morning (Friday) Zero Five has been putting in some practice and hoping around the nest flapping it's wings and building up its muscles.
Listen out as those bells will be ringing soon.
