Three birds share a nest in osprey ‘love triangle'
The trio of birds – one male and two female – are sharing a nest together in the Tweed Valley in the Scottish Borders.
The male has mated with both females, a form of polygamy known as polygyny, and they have laid four eggs between them.
They are said to be getting along with each other all right so far apart from tension over fish deliveries from the male which both females, one named Mrs O, want to grab.
The male osprey returning to the nest with fish (FLS/PA)
Viewers can watch the domestic saga playing out on a livestream camera set up by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) as part of the Tweed Valley Osprey Project.
Diane Bennett, Tweed Valley osprey project co-ordinator, said: 'So far things are looking good. The females seem amicable and tolerant with both having mated with the male bird and laying four eggs between them.
'The only tension witnessed so far has been on the arrival of a fish delivery from the male as the two females both make a grab it.
'Mrs O usually wins the fish and flies off to feed but has been seen to return with a portion remaining and letting the other female have it.
'This nest behaviour with all the birds in the same nest is very rare and as far as we know it is the first time this has ever been on a livestream camera with most other research involving such a set-up previously conducted though distant observation.
'Getting to watch this saga close up as the season unfolds is exciting both for the drama but also for the important research insights it will allow.'
Mrs O has nested at the site before and has been joined by a new female and young male this year.
FLS said the identity and background of the new arrivals is not clear.
Although they both have British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) rings which provide information on survival and movements they do not have the coloured, alphanumeric Darvic rings that enable researchers to identify individual birds.
While Mrs O is also only fitted with a BTO ring she can be identified from her head markings as she has been returning to the site for several years.
The eggs are expected to hatch in the coming weeks.
The Tweed Valley Osprey Project was set up in 1998 to help to establish a breeding population of ospreys in the Scottish Borders.
The livestream can be viewed at https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/the-tweed-valley-osprey-project
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Anyone with blackbirds in their garden asked to take action
The Usutu virus has spread through blackbirds in southern England, with the British Trust for Ornithology asking people to sign up to a survey in a bid to save the bird population The lethal Usutu virus—a mosquito-spread disease that's been targeting Blackbirds in southern England—has sparked serious concerns among wildlife experts. First identified on UK soil in 2020, the virus has spread to as far west as Dorset and has reached Cambridgeshire up north. Hailing from Southern Africa, Usutu arrived in Europe three decades ago and has since caused several significant mortality episodes amongst Blackbird populations, according to Bird Guides. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is now urging people with gardens hosting blackbirds to participate in a special survey. The survey aims to assess the full impact of the crisis and offer much-needed aid. While the risk to humans remains minimal – with no cases documented in Britain – the consequences for our feathered friends are drastic. Reports suggest that the Blackbird numbers in Greater London have nosedived by up to 40% after Usutu took hold following the 2020 heatwave. Dr Arran Folly of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has sounded the alarm about Usutu's swift advance and enduring occurrence, hinting it could be a harbinger of other mosquito-borne diseases making their way to the UK. "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK," he warned, reports Devon Live. Attributed to climate change, expansions in mosquito populations are being driven by rising temperatures, longer summers, and more intense rainfall – creating perfect breeding grounds for the insects and their pathogens to thrive in new areas. In collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), APHA researchers are set to investigate Usutu's impact on Britain's birds. At the same time, the BTO is calling on the public to help monitor the situation by reporting any sightings of Blackbirds. "Blackbirds are currently nesting and are a common sight in gardens and parks. With public help, we can better track population trends and the virus's impact," said a spokesperson from the BTO. Despite Blackbird numbers holding steady in rural and northern regions, the unpredictable nature of the virus calls for continuous monitoring. The combined efforts of APHA and BTO are crucial for gathering essential data to shape conservation tactics and prepare for future emerging diseases. The BTO commented: "We are trying to better understand the extent and spread of Usutu virus and what the potential impacts of the virus might be on Blackbirds. In particular, as Blackbird numbers were already decreasing in London, a large urban area, we want to know if anything similar is happening in other urban areas, or whether these changes are specific to the capital, and how this compares to smaller urban and more rural areas." How will Blackbirds in Gardens survey help? The BTO is conducting a survey to delve into the potential for disease transmission among Blackbirds in gardens, focusing on their congregation patterns. The organisation explained that this research will shed light on how Blackbird populations utilise various garden types and their breeding success across different urbanisation levels. The BTO highlighted the significance of the study in light of emerging diseases, stating: "Although largely harmless to humans, this is the first time in modern history that a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans) has emerged in wild animal hosts in the UK but, with changing climates, more may occur in the future." They further elaborated on the broader context of the research, noting: "Using Usutu virus and Blackbirds as a case study, this survey is part of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, a wider partnership project funded by the UKRI and Defra to understand the emergence and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the UK more generally which are expected to increase with climate change." Additionally, the BTO outlined the objectives of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, including: "The project will improve understanding of how these viruses emerge in new environments, enhance surveillance of diseases in wild birds in the UK and develop an early warning system for disease outbreaks." The survey is set to run until September 2025. How to sign up to the survey You can sign up for Blackbirds in Gardens online. You will need a My BTO account to sign up. If you don't already have one, you can create a free account.
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
Anyone who has blackbirds in gardens urged to take 'immediate' action
A public appeal has been launched to protect the blackbird population following reports of a deadly virus decimating the animals People who have blackbirds in their gardens have been urged to take "immediate" action following reports that large numbers of the animals have fallen victim to a lethal virus. The Usutu virus, a mosquito-borne disease originally from southern Africa, was first detected in the UK in 2020 and has been affecting the blackbird population in southern England, with cases reaching as far north as Cambridgeshire. The virus, which made its way into Europe 30 years ago and was responsible for many blackbird deaths there, was also linked to a 40 per cent plunge in the blackbird population in Greater London, according to Bird Guides. Usutu is said to cause minimal risk to humans. The alarming rate of death has sparked concern among conservationists, with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) urging people with gardens and blackbirds to participate in a special survey to determine the scale of the impact and provide necessary assistance. Dr Arran Folly, a senior research scientist at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), has voiced concerns about the persistent nature of the virus, warning that it could be a precursor to other mosquito-transmitted diseases arriving in the UK. He warned: "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK." Attributed to climate change, mosquito populations are expanding due to rising temperatures, longer summers, and more intense rainfall – creating ideal conditions for both the insects and their pathogens to thrive in previously inhospitable areas. As well as the public appeal to help monitor and report any blackbird sightings, researchers from the BTO and APHA are joining forces to investigate the effects of the Usutu virus on native bird species, reports Devon Live. A BTO spokesman said: "Blackbirds are currently nesting and are a common sight in gardens and parks. With public help, we can better track population trends and the virus's impact." While blackbird numbers remain stable in rural and northern regions, the unpredictable nature of the virus calls for continuous observation. The combined efforts of APHA and BTO are crucial for gathering essential data to shape conservation tactics and prepare for potential future diseases. The BTO added: "We are trying to better understand the extent and spread of Usutu virus and what the potential impacts of the virus might be on Blackbirds. In particular, as Blackbird numbers were already decreasing in London, a large urban area, we want to know if anything similar is happening in other urban areas, or whether these changes are specific to the capital, and how this compares to smaller urban and more rural areas." How will Blackbirds in Gardens help? The BTO is conducting a survey to gain insight into the potential for disease transmission by blackbirds in gardens. The study aims to determine how the number of birds gathering together in gardens affects the transmission of diseases. Furthermore, it will examine how blackbirds utilise different types of gardens and their success in raising young, particularly in varying levels of urbanisation, from rural to urban gardens. According to the BTO: "Although largely harmless to humans, this is the first time in modern history that a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans) has emerged in wild animal hosts in the UK but, with changing climates, more may occur in the future." The survey is part of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, a broader partnership project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The project aims to understand the emergence and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the UK, which are expected to increase with climate change. The BTO stated: "The project will improve understanding of how these viruses emerge in new environments, enhance surveillance of diseases in wild birds in the UK and develop an early warning system for disease outbreaks." In order to take part in the survey, you will need to create a 'My BTO' account, which you can do so by clicking here and selecting 'Register'. Once that's done, click here to go to the survey.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Fascinating to speak to Doctor Who stars for Unleashed special, says host
The episode, which includes interviews with past Doctors and companions, celebrates 20 years since the sci-fi show's revival and explores the programme's impact on Wales, which is where the series was revived by showrunner Russell T Davies in 2005. Taking part is Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, who played Amy Pond and Rory Williams in the Matt Smith era of Doctor Who, as well as Tennant, Ncuti Gatwa and Jodie Whittaker, who have all played the time-travelling alien. Ncuti Gatwa and Steffan Powell (BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/PA) Piper, 42, played the ninth and 10th's Doctor's companion, and appears now to have replaced Gatwa in the role of the Doctor. Powell said: 'It's always great seeing some of the iconic faces from the past, right? We talk to some of the most famous companions of recent years, like Billie Piper, Mandip Gill and Karen Gillan, and some Doctors as well – Jodie Whittaker, David Tennant and, of course, Ncuti Gatwa. 'To see them back and talking so passionately about their experience on Doctor Who is fascinating. 'Getting their take on it, because I think you do reflect differently all these years after doing something, is really cool.' He added: 'Fans can expect to hear from the people who made all of the magic happen, straight from the horse's mouth – the executives who brought Doctor Who back, why they did it, the challenges they faced, the directors who helped to make the programme work, and fascinatingly for me as well, the production design team who were there designing what the revival of Doctor Who looked like. Varada Sethu and Steffan Powell (BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon/PA) 'At the time of the revival, there wasn't that much sci-fi really on the telly compared to now, and so everyone was really breaking new ground.' During the finale of Gatwa's second season, which aired on Saturday, he regenerated and appeared to be replaced with Piper who played Rose Tyler, the Doctor's first companion when the series was rebooted. The finale also saw Whittaker, the 13th doctor, make a guest appearance while Gatwa's Doctor appeared to be travelling through alternate universes. The credit at the end of the programme said: 'Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. And introducing Billie Piper.' Piper previously played the physical interface of a sentient doomsday weapon called the Moment during the 50th anniversary special, The Day Of The Doctor. Gatwa played the Time Lord across two series after fellow Scottish actor Tennant bi-generated in 2023. Varada Sethu and Millie Gibson, who played Ncuti Gatwa's companions as the Doctor (Ian West/PA) Doctor Who has filmed in locations across Wales since its revival in 2005 and Powell said this will be explored in the new episode of Unleashed. Powell said: 'I think Doctor Who has had a massive impact on Cardiff and Wales. We explore that in the Unleashed special, and people like Russell T Davies (showrunner) and Julie Gardner (executive producer) talk about it in the episode. 'Some of the Welsh people who were given opportunities to work in television, thanks to Doctor Who, have gone on to do brilliant and beautiful things all over the world – and all of that was because Doctor Who came to Cardiff. 'Some of those people are now plying their trade all over the world on some of the most influential programmes out there, and a lot of the tricks of the trade they learned from Doctor Who. 'That infrastructure and industry wouldn't necessarily be what it is today if they hadn't made that decision to bring Doctor Who to Cardiff all those years ago. It's really fascinating to delve into.' The special hour-long episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will land on Saturday June 7 at 6am on BBC iPlayer, and air on BBC One Wales and BBC Three later that day.
