A SCOTTISH osprey whose name went to Mars thanks to Nasa has been spotted and photographed in Senegal in West Africa.
The bird, named Rannoch, fledged at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, Lochaber in 2019 along with its sibling Mallie.
A live webcam has operated from the nest since 2017 with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Hundreds of thousands of fans around the world have watched a total of six chicks raised on the nest over the years, but this is the first sighting of one in its wintering grounds.
The bird was identified by its blue leg ring bearing the number JJ2. Senegal-based French ornithologist Jean-Marie Dupart photographed it on January 23 at the Sine-Saloum Delta, which is a national park and Unesco World Heritage site.
The photographer reported his sighting to Dr Tim Mackrill of Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, who collates information on tagged British ospreys, and word was sent back from there to Woodland Trust Scotland.
Rannoch was named in honour of Woodland Trust Scotland volunteer Liz Bracken who watches the nest via telescope from the other side of the loch, and reports on the ospreys’ activity in the wider landscape. As there was already an osprey elsewhere called Bracken, the Arkaig bird was given the name Rannoch which means “bracken” in Gaelic.
“I am delighted to see Rannoch is doing well in Africa,” said Bracken.
“It has been fascinating these last few years immersing myself in the life of the birds at Loch Arkaig.
“How extraordinary to see our osprey 3000 miles away in Senegal. You cannot be anything other than in awe of these birds and the lives they lead. This will whet everyone’s appetite for the start of the 2022 breeding season.”
The Loch Arkaig nest camera will be online again from mid-March with ospreys expected back around the start of April. Woodland Trust Scotland and local charity Arkaig Community Forest bought the spectacular 2500 acre site in 2016. Their aim is to restore native woodland habitats, re-connect local people with the management and stewardship of the site, and use the woods to underpin sustainable rural development in the nearby communities of Achnacarry, Bunarkaig and Clunes.
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted that support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery has allowed huge numbers of people to enjoy the natural spectacle at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest. Long may these magnificent birds inspire us all.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel