Osprey got a hold of something big

[Murray30]

(Apologies if not posted in the right place)
It was only when i got home today and blew up some of the images(apologies for the quality as it was quite far out they were mainly for reference) i had of the Osprey hovering and diving,that i saw this,what ever he is trying to keep hold of is BIG, and i cant think what it could be,at first i thought it was a ripple in the water but i am not so sure now ,if anybody has any ideas it would be much appreciated.
(no it was not taken in scotland and no its not nessie)
again apologies for the quality.

[Jim Ford]

There's a story mentioned in 'BB's 'The Fisherman's Bedside Book', of a large pike caught in a loch in Scotland. It had a weed encrusted skeleton of an osprey attached to its back. The bird had obviously attacked the pike, found it was too big, but couldn't disengage itself and drowned.

Jim

[Murray30]

That explains it then, cheers Jim
Murray

[Murray30]

Apologies Jim i thought you was having me on,
He did not come down to rest on it he came down with the classic dive display,
so he was determined to get some of it whatever it was, could it be large trout?
can they grow that big?
Cheers Murray

[earthdragon64]

According to the RSPB blog from Loch Garten, the Ospreys there bring in quite large fish, Trout of 19 inches have been mentioned, as have Pike of varying size.

I can't remember the exact details but the blog makes fascinating reading, particularly on occasions when the number and size of fish being brought in for the chicks is detailed.

Personally I've seen Osprey flying effortlessly carrying fish around 15-16 inches long, so I don't doubt the sizes given on the blog.

Regards, Audrey.

[pressld2]

In the loch garten visitor centre they have a fun activity for the kids. They explain that an osprey can fly 20 miles carrying a fish that is half it's own body-weight. Then they weigh the kids, load them down with fish-shaped sandbags totalling half their weight and ask them to walk round the visitor centre. Most of them could manage one circuit but I didn't see any make it round twice.

Dave P.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Murray30

Apologies Jim i thought you was having me on,
He did not come down to rest on it he came down with the classic dive display,
so he was determined to get some of it whatever it was, could it be large trout?
can they grow that big?

30 lbs for brown trout in this country.

Jim

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Murray30

Apologies Jim i thought you was having me on,
He did not come down to rest on it he came down with the classic dive display,
so he was determined to get some of it whatever it was, could it be large trout?
can they grow that big?

No apologies necessary, Murray!

If you Google with the words:

"tate regan" pike osprey skeleton

The first page you'll hit has a reference to the incident in an online library. Unfortunately you can't download the document without subscribing.

Jim

[Murray30]

Hi Audrey, and thanks for replying,
I find it fascinating how like you say, that they can lift something out of the water of such size with hardly any effort,and i know the mere where i was watching this osprey is not fished any more so they are thriving in there,
he should of moved on a while ago but he is spoilt for choice.

Thanks again Audrey,
Regards Murray

[Murray30]

Hi Dave,and thanks for the reply,

That sounds a great way of getting the children involved and getting an insight into the Ospreys world,
I think i would struggle at this age to do half a circuit.

Regards Murray