Osprey at chew valley lake

[markbugman]

At 10.30 this morning an Osprey was seen taking a fish , it was then mobbed by dozens of gulls before flying away.
This must be one of the latest dates for an Osprey in the area.
Has anyone else seen any Ospreys in December ?
Regards
Mark

[burhinus]

I think this is a very late UK record. There was one seen in Beds in November and prior to that the latest record for that county was October 1976.

[Dogghound]

How reliable is the source? very interesting, there has been records in central Europe of birds wintering in mild winters but I have never heard of this occuring in Britain. You do get limited numbers wintering in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Most of our birds winter around West Africa Ethiopia, Kenya etc.

Not heard of a British bird in December.

[markbugman]

The source is myself and my colleague. We both work in an optics shop at the lake.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by markbugman

The source is myself and my colleague. We both work in an optics shop at the lake.

If your happy with what you have seen then it should be reported. It would also be worth looking for it again tomorrow, to see if it hangs around. I would expect the winter weather to eventually push it south. A few birds also winter in Iberia perhaps these recent weather conditions and the relatively mild winter has caused this movement.

[markbugman]

100% sure of what we saw , and yes it has been reported
thanks
Mark

[RaptorMan101]

I find this very believable, one was reported from The Lodge (RSPB) reserve in mid november this year. That bird was a juvenile and it's very possible that it was/is taking advantage of the lakes and rivers as they will be lively with fish.
Just my view on it

Cheers.
Jim

[aeshna5]

Interesting record. I've never heard of an Osprey here in December before, but provided waters remain relatively ice free survival shouldn't be a problem.

[RoyW]

November records of Ospreys in the UK are not all that uncommon, (though certainly unusual) and the earliest migrants are often here in March, sometimes February. I have also seen reference to individuals recorded in December and January, in Essex and more southerly counties (I'll dig out some details in the morning).

I've not seen a winter one myself though.

[RoyW]

As expected mid winter (December and January) records of Ospreys in the UK are very unusual - so don't be surprised if your county recorder asks for a description of the bird and behaviour you witnessed to support the record if you 'officially' submit it (which you should), even if a description/notes aren't usually required for Osprey records.



A look through the county avifaunas that I have available gives the following records of Ospreys in December, January, or "winter" (some of the avifaunas I own were printed 10-20 or more years ago so there may be a few more recent records - but I doubt that there are many):

Devon: on the coast at Ilfracombe from Aug-Dec 1944; Roadford Reservoir on 6th December 1998.

Hampshire: Needs Ore on 7th December 1953; Arlesford Reservoir on 3rd-6th December 1967.

Sussex: Arlington Reservoir until 9th December 1994 (from September?).

Surrey: Frensham Little Pond "winter of 1885"; Kew and Richmond Park, December 1898; Gatton 17th November-13th December 1979; Papercourt on 8th December 2004.

Buckinghamshire: "seen in winter" at Fawley Woods in 1858.

Hertfordshire: Moor Hill, Radlett, 8th January 1959.

Essex: "Obtained" near Colchester in the middle of January 1850; River Stour, 10th November-8th December 2006; (also references to "two reported to have visited Gosfield Lake '...during one or two winters...' ".

Norfolk: Hickling on 1st January 1905.

Lincolnshire: shot on 4th December 1868 (no location given).



So perhaps not totally unprecedented, although December records seem to be mainly birds lingering into the first half of the month.