An Osprey has graced our Estuary today, Fraser first spotted it over Black Hole Marsh mid morning.
At about 13:30, whilst driving along the river with the old man, all the Gulls started taking to the air, and in it drifted from the hills to the east...
Sorry for the photo overload - there is more too!
It spent about fifteen minutes fishing north of Coronation Corner, but every time it went in, it came up empty taloned... 
An action shot!
I'll upload a video I took of it failing to catch a fish later, it's taking too long at the moment!
The Osprey then flew south down the Estuary, flushing every Gull as usual...
...then went into one hell of a dive, and came up with a fish! After a bit of struggling, he/she got some power going and flew off north west towards Colyford...
That's dinner sorted!
Hopefully this one will stay....
Rewinding the day back, I was meant to lead a birdwatch on Beer Head this morning for Seaton Visitors Centre Trust. Dad and I were there at 9am, and our group were soon ready to leave....all three of us! (and yes that does include Dad and I!)
It was beautiful up there this morning, the views just stunning....
You can just see the harbour wall of Portland Harbour in this photo, and that's 'The Verne' to the right...
And this is the first time I can say I've seen Dartmoor from Beer Head, I've labelled the three Tors you can make out...
Bird-wise, it wasn't all that bad either!
Two female-type Redstarts were most notable, with singles on the top of the Branscombe slope and in the Coastgaurd Lookout garden. At least seven Yellow Wags included three amongst the sheep, and other grounded migrants included: 3 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 14 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest. Overhead there were literally thousands of hirundines feeding - including at least three Sand Martins. Several hundred Meadow Pipits flew west over, proving it would have been a good morning for 'vis-migging'. Also one Clouded Yellow seen.
At about 13:30, whilst driving along the river with the old man, all the Gulls started taking to the air, and in it drifted from the hills to the east...
Sorry for the photo overload - there is more too!
An action shot!The Osprey then flew south down the Estuary, flushing every Gull as usual...
...then went into one hell of a dive, and came up with a fish! After a bit of struggling, he/she got some power going and flew off north west towards Colyford...
That's dinner sorted!Rewinding the day back, I was meant to lead a birdwatch on Beer Head this morning for Seaton Visitors Centre Trust. Dad and I were there at 9am, and our group were soon ready to leave....all three of us! (and yes that does include Dad and I!)
It was beautiful up there this morning, the views just stunning....
You can just see the harbour wall of Portland Harbour in this photo, and that's 'The Verne' to the right...
And this is the first time I can say I've seen Dartmoor from Beer Head, I've labelled the three Tors you can make out...
Bird-wise, it wasn't all that bad either!
Two female-type Redstarts were most notable, with singles on the top of the Branscombe slope and in the Coastgaurd Lookout garden. At least seven Yellow Wags included three amongst the sheep, and other grounded migrants included: 3 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 14 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest. Overhead there were literally thousands of hirundines feeding - including at least three Sand Martins. Several hundred Meadow Pipits flew west over, proving it would have been a good morning for 'vis-migging'. Also one Clouded Yellow seen.
Ospreys never fail to impress, Steve. I had an unexpected one over my patch last week. Stunning birds :-)
ReplyDeleteOh and well done with the Corn Bunt.
Liking the Osprey pics! After seeing your blog I went straight out to find the bird myself as I have had some success in previous years. I managed to get a few shots today (but they were all a bit distant). They can be seen at
ReplyDeletewww.timwhitewildlife.blogspot.com
if you're interested.
They are great birds! I'm glad you've been enjoying it too Tim! Great photos - have linked your blog from mine
ReplyDeleteSteve