If you see a colour-ringed Osprey, please tell us! You can help us build an even better knowledge of these wonderful birds.
Since 1966, young Ospreys have been ringed in Scotland. And during most of that time, colour rings have also been added to the other leg, to allow individual identification.
For the first ringing, a metal ring supplied by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is fitted. Each is numbered and has a British Museum address, so anyone who finds one can send details to the BTO as part of the national bird ringing scheme.
On the other leg a plastic colour ring is often fitted. These are also unique, and mean you can identify an Osprey in the wild using a telescope or long lens camera. The coloured rings are coordinated by Roy Dennis.
The colour rings have two digits or letters, reading up the ring from the foot. These appear three times round the ring, so you can see them from any angle. (Older rings have a single letter or number.) In recent years, colour rings in Scotland have been placed on the left leg, and those in England and Wales on the right leg.
If possible, take a picture and send it to roydennis@aol.com.
In your email, tell us the place (including co-ordinates), date, time, your name and contact details, and any other interesting observations. If you can’t take a picture, please add this information:
Check here if you’re not sure what an Osprey looks like.
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