Angler helps save entangled osprey from cold

The osprey was wrapped in a warm jacket. Questions must be asked as to why Alasdair had a pink jacket? Photo Alastair Scott

Osprey warmed by pink jacket and tent!
August 2011. An angler from Fife caught more than he bargained for during a pike-fishing weekend on Loch Insh, near Kincraig in Strathspey Alastair Scott of Kennoway, had been camping with his family on the banks of the water when he awoke to find an osprey had become tangled in his line.

"I'd got up about 6am on the Sunday morning and noticed that my line had run out. It wasn't until I tried reeling it in that I saw that there was a large bird caught in among the reeds." said Alastair. "It must have been in the water for some time, its wings were entangled and it was physically shaking with the cold.

"After calling RSPB Scotland and the Scottish SPCA for help, we were told an Scottish SPCA inspector was en route but would take a couple of hours to arrive.

Woolly jacket and tent
"As the bird was clearly very cold, we cut the line and untangled it, wrapped it up in a woolly jacket, placed it a safe distance in front of a small camping stove in the porch of our tent and left it there to warm up. Later when I checked, the osprey was actually standing in the tent, flexing its wings in front of the stove, almost as if it was drying itself. A short time later it emerged from the tent and flew off as if nothing had happened."

The osprey was found among the reeds and very cold. Photo Alastair Scott.

Alastair's actions have since been praised by RSPB Scotland, who is currently trying to trace the male bird. Due to the absence of a coloured ring, staff at RSPB Insh Marshes believe it may be one half of the reserve's breeding osprey pair.

Karen Sutcliffe, Site Manager at RSPB Insh Marshes, added: "We're extremely grateful to Alastair, had it not been for his quick-thinking this bird could easily have perished, leaving it to recover somewhere warm and dark was exactly the right thing to do. We've heard of past occasions where birds that live near or on the water have become caught in lines or nets, we'd therefore ask anglers to stay vigilant and if possible not leave their lines unattended unless fitted with a bait alarm or similar device.

"If this is indeed the male from our breeding pair this rescue came at a critical time as young fledglings need plenty of food from both parents to ensure they are strong enough to make their migratory journey to West Africa."

If you find an injured bird please contact the Scottish SPCA in the first instance on 03000 999 999

The osprey was wamed in Alastair's tent.