Osprey’s maiden flight a record breaker

By ALISTAIR MUNRO
Published on 07/09/2012 04:40

A YOUNG osprey raised in the Highlands has flown into the history books with the fastest ever migration – on her maiden flight.

The raptor named Alba flew 3,000 miles from the RSPB’s Loch Garten reserve near Aviemore to West Africa in just two weeks.

It is understood to be the fastest migration of any satellite tagged European osprey.

Having only hatched earlier this year, the female bird has astounded online audiences who have been following her journey on the internet. It was making her first migration, journeys that usually takes the birds months to complete.

Alba and sister Caledonia were fitted with tags before leaving their nest.

Loch Garten site manager 
Richard Thaxton said Alba’s time was “astonishing”.

He said: “Alba has travelled from Loch Garten in Strathspey to southern Mauritania close to the border with Senegal.

“Other tagged birds have taken months to do this.

“It is all the more remarkable when you think that this is her first migration.”