Osprey on the River Axe, mid June 2026

An unringed Osprey was first seen on the Axe on Sat 13th June and stayed until the afternoon of 16th. Judging by the lack of a strong brown 'necklace' it was probably a male, possible feeding up before heading off to the site of its upbringing.

I managed to witness on successful dive on the morning of the 16th.  This fish was eventually dropped when the bird was harassed by a Marsh Harrier, but it did successfully catch and feed shortly afterwards.

It was last reported leaving the river and heading north-east.

These are shots from the dive.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Purple Heron, Black Stork and White Stork, July 2025

Image
Purple Heron A juvenile bird was reported on the River Cam near Kingfisher Bridge NR.  This species is slightly smaller and slenderer than the grey heron, they have chestnut-brown plumage with dark streaks and a long, sinuous neck. These secretive birds prefer reedbeds and wetlands and are more often heard than seen. While traditionally passage migrants or occasional breeders, recent conservation efforts have seen small numbers attempting to nest in southern England. I had no expectations of actually finding the bird, especially as I seemed to be the only one looking. Amazingly I spotted the bird on the opposite bank after a short walk and the timing was perfect, as a passing boat flushed 60 seconds later.    The bird was lost to view but reported the following day in the Mere at Kingsfisher Bridge NR.   Black Stork A juvenile bird was reported repeatedly for about a week at Boyton Marsh, Suffolk. This species is typically found in continental Europe and Asia, ne...
Read more

Osprey CJ7 and White tailed Eagle G463, Friday 15th August 2025

Image
The 'mugging' of Osprey CJ7 over Poole Harbour by the resident male White-tailed Eagle G463 in pictures - as seen from the always excellent Birds of Poole Harbour Osprey Cruise.   The tide was low and CJ7 caught a fish close to where G463 was sitting on a small island, watching and waiting... He immediately launched himself into the air and went after CJ7, forcing her to drop the catch.  He tried to catch the fish when it was falling but failed.  However, he caught a bigger fish on his own immediately afterwards and CJ7 also caught another fish within a few minutes.  Poole Harbour is an amazingly bountiful environment, and it is a privilege to see these birds at such close quarters.   
Read more

Black winged Kite, Norfolk, Jan 2026

Image
Until very recently, the Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) was considered a "mythical" bird for UK birdwatchers. However, this may now be changing, possibly due to climate change and a northward expansion from its traditional homes in Africa and Southern Europe. The Black-winged Kite is a small, strikingly beautiful raptor that looks more like a cross between a falcon and an owl than a typical kite. Plumage: It has a distinctive blue-grey back, a pure white underside, and prominent black "shoulders" (wing patches). Eyes: It is famous for its piercing blood-red eyes, which are forward-facing, giving it an owl-like appearance. Hunting: Unlike the scavenging Red Kite, the Black-winged Kite is a specialist hunter of small mammals. It is most often seen hovering with high-frequency wing beats, similar to a Kestrel, before dropping vertically onto prey. Date Location Significance April 2023 Montgomeryshire...
Read more