British Ospreys are only present at their nesting territories for around five months per year, they spend the rest of the time at their wintering sites. A small number of birds from Western Europe winter on the Iberian Peninsula, but the vast majority travel further south to the coastal regions of West Africa. During the winter months, it is always wonderful to read reports about our Glaslyn Ospreys and those that we record in the Glaslyn Valley, from people such as the ornithologist Jean-marie Dupart in Senegal and the team at Kartong Bird Observatory in Gambia.
When our iconic Osprey Mrs G failed to return in 2023 after almost 20 years, we decided that we wanted to mark her long legacy by supporting conservation in West Africa. In her memory we decided to donate to the Osprey Leadership Foundation (OLF), a charity based in the UK, that aims to inspire and enable young conservation leaders along the Osprey’s flyway, particularly in The Gambia.
Through our links with Dr Tim Mackrill of OLF, in 2024 we were delighted to host Emmanuel Jatta, a bird ringer and research assistant from the Kartong Bird Observatory (KBO), during part of his four-month stay in the UK. Emmanuel proved a great ambassador for The Gambia and KBO. It was a memorable visit with many highlights, including Emmanuel’s second encounter with the Llyn Brenig male Osprey LJ2, whom he had handled when caught during a mist netting survey at Kartong. On his final day, Emmanuel made history as the first Gambian ever to ring a Welsh – and UK – osprey chick!
In June 2026 we hope to host Naffie Sarr, one of Emmanuel’s colleagues from KBO. Naffie was recently involved with the Gunjur Project Birding and Nature Club classroom day, where young Gambians learn to become Osprey experts. During a recent ringing expedition on the Kartong wetlands by the team, Emmanuel had an unexpected surprise when an adult female Osprey was captured and measured during mist netting surveys of the wetlands at Kartong Bird Observatory. Later, during the expedition, another two Ospreys were caught. These birds were all previously un-ringed, so they were fitted under licence with BTO and Darvic colour rings. It will be very interesting to find out if they turn up somewhere in Western Europe in the future.
Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn Wildlife is very proud to be able to continue to support the Osprey Leadership Foundation and Kartong Bird Observatory in the important conservation work in The Gambia.
https://ospreyleadershipfoundation.com
https://kartongbirdobservatory.com
Other interesting bird species that have been ringed by KBO.
