ospreys??

[vinnychameleon]

I have heard reports of ospreys returning around the country. Is this the usual time for their return? I am lucky to live fairly near to an estuary that 1 frequents most years and was wondrin whether it was worth looking out for?
Cheers guys

[paulthomas]

Everything "you ever wanted to know about Ospreys but were afraid to ask" is here

[John]

Originally Posted by paulthomas

Everything "you ever wanted to know about Ospreys but were afraid to ask" is here

Where??

I think you forgot the link Paul.

Hi Vinny

It is well worth keeping your eye open for them as there is a few in the country now.

John

[MTR]

I saw a single Osprey today (15-03-07)heading west over the M50 at Junction 1 at 16:15.
Sorry I have no more info as I was shifting along at the time

[GuyF]

I'm not sure whether this is right, but it seems that in spring Ospreys are in a bit of a hurry to get up to their breeding sites so don't stop at their regular sites for very long if at all. In autumn they seem in less of a hurry and spend some time refuelling before their long journey back. Near me the Ospreys in spring fly over and are never seen again, but in autumn they are around for about a month. Is this what happens everywhere?
Guy

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by GuyF

I'm not sure whether this is right, but it seems that in spring Ospreys are in a bit of a hurry to get up to their breeding sites so don't stop at their regular sites for very long if at all. In autumn they seem in less of a hurry and spend some time refuelling before their long journey back. Near me the Ospreys in spring fly over and are never seen again, but in autumn they are around for about a month. Is this what happens everywhere?
Guy

I think with many migratory species there is a greater urgency to reach the breeding grounds, whilst the return is often less hurried.

[John]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I think with many migratory species there is a greater urgency to reach the breeding grounds, whilst the return is often less hurried.

That is very true. Also there are a lot of juveniles migrating in the Autumn and I know that certainly in the Midlands we tend not get any Osprey's hanging around in the spring but can guarantee a few adults and a fair few juvenuiles in the Autumn stopping off at the odd reserve.

John

[goosey]

The Cumbrian Ospreys that nest at Whinlatter /Bassenthwaite haven't returned yet. But fingers crossed.
The pair has been successfully breeding since 2001 and upto last year always reared 2 chicks but in 2006 they had 3 chicks.
Last year the Female returned on 3rd April and the male on 4th April.
Their eggs were laid 17th, 20th +22nd/23rd April.
They hatched 26th/27th and 29th May.

[vinnychameleon]

Guys ive just seen a large bird of prey over the house that flew like a buzzard but seemed a bit larger with longer wings that drooped at the end. It was a fair way off but i could tell the above through bins. Any ideas? was it an osprey?

[John]

Originally Posted by vinnychameleon

Guys ive just seen a large bird of prey over the house that flew like a buzzard but seemed a bit larger with longer wings that drooped at the end. It was a fair way off but i could tell the above through bins. Any ideas? was it an osprey?

Hi VC

Ospreys don't fly like a Buzzard. They are almost gull like in their flight. They are also a different shape to a Buzzard with different markings but are of a similar size to a Buzzard (Osprey can be slightly larger).

They can only be confused with a very light phased Buzzard but to be honest if you have had a good look at the bird you shouldn't confuse it with anything other than an Osprey.

John