So after an unsuccessful Osprey search the other day, today I was up at 4 am and drove the 1.2 hour trip to a location where there are sometimes up to 11 Ospreys feeding. I arrived as the sun was just coming up, I was in the shade but the lake and sky was shining bright.
The lake was busy with Canada Geese and their young, a nesting Mute Swan, Curlews and Lapwings were calling and flying about, and in the hedges the Whitethroats, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Stonechats were all in good voice.
After half an our or so a lone female Osprey came into view high above the water and spent 40 mins flying over the lake and perching on the trees, sadly this female is not ringed and her origin unknown, and when she comes she drives away the other male feeding birds, so there was just the one here today. No matter she was a splendid bird and it was a privilege to watch here so close with the place to myself.
Sadly as I hopped over a gate to get a better position for photographs, I landed with my foot in a rabbit hole, and there was an ominous snap ! this curtailed my trip as I got myself together and headed home for a trip to A&E ! it looks like a bad sprain rather than a break ( finger crossed) but the fracture clinic will confirm this later this week. – 20th May edit, it is just a sprain and soft tissue damage so I will be back out and about in three weeks !
Was it worth it ? of course ! I just need to watch my feet as closely as the Osprey next time!
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