Osprey - Shapwick
Osprey still on the same tree this morning. Also 7 Wigeon on Noah’s so the autumn arrival has started.
The Osprey was still on his usual perch at 09.00 this morning. Also Bittern, GWE and Marsh Harrier seen.
Osprey flew over Noahs hide this morning giving great views. Came back with what was probably a bream and landed on the closer dead tree. Also a number of marsh harriers and at least 1 hobby.
7 hours in the hide today, at one stage the Osprey did not move from the dead tree for 3.5 hours. I watched it catch 2 large fish. On it’s third round it failed 5 times to catch anything, the osprey would from a great height fold it’s wings back almost like a Peregrine and dive into the water with a big splash. It wore it-self out and went back to the far out dead tree to rest.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/29371842437/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/44259944862/in/datetaken/
Pics and video of the Osprey in my new blog post here;
http://carlbovisnaturephotography.blogspot.com/2018/08/osprey-at-shapwick-heath.html
If only it would come closer!
Fabulous to see though and great watch it fish! 😊
The Osprey seen from Noah Hide (furthest dead trees on left as viewed from the hide) in morning 25th. Watched it fly off twice and each time came back to the same branch on the same dead tree with a catch.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/42454906650/in/datetaken/
From 3pm I visited the hide again…. it was on the dead tree stumps slightly closer but light was poor as the sun was behind the bird. Again it flew off and came back 20 minutes latter with another large roach.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/43357507085/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/43357506825/in/datetaken/
We were wondering what the Mallards in the drain were eating when we visited Shapwick on Wednesday.
Thanks for the clarification Robin
Osprey very active from early this morning. Good to see it flying closer to the hide (Noah) than normal. A lot of flying activity, although it did disappear off to the North-East for around an hour before returning from the Decoy direction.
See here for pictures…. https://twitter.com/robinmmorrison/status/1032957389568454656
Also of note were the active 3 or 4 Marsh Harriers, two of which flew passed the front of the hide.
5 Cattle Egrets flew, East to West and headed over the trees towards Decoy.
In the main drain the Mallards seemed to be enjoying a crunchy breakfast of water snail.
Have a great Bank Holiday weekend everyone…..
Still there mid-morning today, sat in the usual dead tree as viewed from the main track.
The Osprey caught a fish at around 4.45 this afternoon and settled to eat it on the usual dead trees to the left of the hide. Every chance it is the same bird as in previous years. A visitor told me it was there yesterday (18th)
19-Aug-2018
Osprey on Noah’s Lake at Shapwick Heath NNR today - per @exeterbirder on Twitter.