It came back!

I'd only been in the hide for 15 mins and was just about to start noting things in the book, when a young boy asked his Dad 'Is that a Buzzard?' I glanced skyward and saw it was the Osprey! I didn't even have the camera out the bag, but I needn't have rushed - it stayed around for 25 minutes. During this time it dived twice, both unsuccessful.

Shame it was mainly over the north end of the pool and everytime it hovered it was facing away. Nevertheless, wonderful to see it again and at least there was a bit of blue sky this time...









Apparently it returned again in the evening but took five attempts before it caught its dinner!

Osprey fishing!

Today I had hoped to be at VP for first light to look out for the Osprey catching breakfast. Unfortunately not going to bed till almost 3.00am rather wrecked that plan!! So I was still driving over when I heard news just after 8.00 that it had arrived! Drat! On arrival I found I'd also missed a Black tailed Godwit and some Yellow Wagtails. Not a great start!

However, the Osprey had apparently got mobbed by gulls and hadn't had chance to fish, so maybe it would return soon? A spell in hide was called for.

After a while (and with a Black Redstart to see elsewhere) we decided it was time to move on. We had literally just left the hide when, what should appear over the pool...








It spent five minutes circling right in front of the hide, by far the best views I've ever had of an Osprey! Then it spotted something and plunged in... the ducks look alittle surprised!





Soon it emerged with a small Roach.




Shook off some water...



And away...



Any previous views I've had of Ospreys have always been distant and I'd never seen one hunting before, so this was a fantastic few minutes! Couldn't have hoped for better or longer views. Really hope this bird sticks around for a while, would be great to see it again.

So with the day suddenly looking up, it was off to Titterstone Clee. After a bit of searching and waiting, the Black Redstart appeared on the fence of the first compound! Shame it was too distant for pics but really nice to see anyway.

Finally on the Bridges where a male Pied Flycatcher was singing just a few metres along the path from the car! Another was seen by the far bridge along with a male Common Redstart and two Dippers, brilliant! No pics from there today, but hopefully one day soon.

An incredibly pale Buzzard was over the woods too, its underneath was really bright white and I wondered what on earth I was looking at for a second or two! See Jim's blog for pics as mine aren't worth posting.

A Yellow Wagtail at VP in the evening rounded off a very nice day!

Gone a bit quiet on here!

An update at last, albeit a brief one! I'm afraid I've hardly had the camera out the bag recently and I never feel like posting anything unless I've got pics. Been busy with others things too, but I have made it out a few times...

Chiffchaffs seem to be everywhere, smashing male Redstarts seen at Nedge Hill and VP, Pinkfoot still at Cranmere, four Ring Ouzels amongst snow showers on the Clee, Corn Buntings near Crudgington, Goosanders at Bridgnorth, Turkeys on guard at Bridges and Peacocks roaming the roads at Colemere...







Hope to get the camera back in action with some slightly less exotic birds soon. In the meantime, meet a new friend of mine... Jake







He pulls like mad and won't travel in the car so I've had lots of local walks, being dragged along, with not much chance of seeing anything! He's a lot of fun but sadly only on his hols with us. So back to birds and I'm off up the Titterstone soon...