Watchers learn about ospreys

Thanks to all those who came to be trained as osprey watchers on Saturday by seasoned osprey watcher Liz Jones and our resident ornithologist, Andy King. Thanks also to Karen McCulloch for her valuable nocturnal osprey behaviour observations.

Around 50 people spent a morning on a crash course on osprey identification, behaviour and how to record observations – all vital to furthering the knowledge of our local birds and also provide information about how they are responding to their new location. In addition, the fact that there will be near continuous coverage of eyes on the nest and farmland will help to keep our birds safe. The data gathered will ultimately be added to the growing data base of osprey activity in the UK to aid in the recovery of this species.

Later, a smaller group headed out to the viewing point on the canal, where they were rewarded with views of two separate birds. The first was perched for a while and then flew to the nest. It then “pooped” – a sign it was about to take off - which it duly did, possibly in response to a large farm vehicle entering a field close by. However, shortly after, another bird flew in with a fish and rested on a telegraph pole nearby. So, all in all a thoroughly entertaining and educational glimpse into the lives of these wonderful local birds.