21st August - none garden post

Ok so these pictures were not taken in my garden.  Frankly my garden area is not big enough for this bird nor has enough water.

The photo's below were taken at Weir Wood Reservoir, just outside East Grinstead, on the East/West Sussex border.  The pictures were taken on 19th August and are of two Ospreys. I managed to take 574 pictures that included the Osprey going through the complete fishing sequence.

The two together

Above the water looking for fish.

With a small fish for dinner

Best shot of the day. Fish just been caught.

Going to find a place to eat the fish.

Ospreys only eat fish.  They spend the winter mostly in parts of Africa. Some youngsters are now being tagged so their route can  be followed to their wintering grounds.They migrate north in the spring and mainly nest in Scotland. Two of the most famous sites are Loch Garten and Loch of the Lowes.  Both in Scotland and both with the most fantastic websites with live cameras set up watching the nests. Loch Garten is run by the RSPB and Loch of the Lowes by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.  Both have very famous females.  EJ is at Loch Garden and Lady is at Loch of the Lowes.  Lady is the oldest known breeding female Osprey that returns to this country. Sadly she was very ill during this spring and it wasn't looking good.  But this amazing bird recovered and has raised two chicks and has now left on her migration.  Fingers crossed she manages to return next year.

See www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation/swt or www.rspb.org.uk/webcams/birdsofprey/lochgartenvideo

The Osprey is a large bird of prey.  Wing span can be 152-167cm.  The females are larger than the males.