Tuesday, 14 August 2012

Osprey

The Osprey is making a welcome comeback in the British Isles. After being persecuted to extinction as a breeding bird by 1916, this bird started to re-colonise itself with a pair breeding in 1954. After a faltering start due to egg collecting and continued persecution, the numbers of this bird have gradually grown to number over 150 pairs, still a very small number when you consider that Golden Eagles number over 450 pairs. These birds are still persecuted with individuals being shot or 'disappearing' from breeding areas. One individual at Rutland Water 'disappeared' last year after having mated and started to raise young, it was feared that he was shot.

In the Peterborough area the sighting of these birds is pretty much an annual event, with birds passing overhead in the Spring and Autumn. Some even hang around for a while, favouring a lake from which it fishes before moving on. This is in part due to the close proximity of Rutland Water, one of the sites where a re-introduction programme was started in 1996. The bird in the photos below show an individual that has been hanging around for a while now and was seen by myself at Maxey GP on Sunday. I thought that I would get some shots using my new camera and some using my trusted digiscoping method. You can see the difference in results for yourself. The first two are with the Canon Powershot SX40 HS with the other two being digiscoped.





The shots with the new camera were taken with the lens at full 35x zoom, with the digiscoped images using my scopes 30x eyepiece. I am happier with the 'camera' photos, but to be honest, not truly happy with any of them! The bird was a bit distant and the heat haze was pretty horrible, but then again I am not complaining about a bit of heat haze!
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18 comments:

  1. holdingmoments14 August 2012 at 14:55

    They're better than any shots I've ever managed of this magnificent bird John.

    It's tragic that some morons still feel the need to persecute such beautiful creatures.

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    1. John15 August 2012 at 20:49

      Thanks Keith!
      It makes my blood boil when I hear of any persecution. I have heard tale of a fish farm owner in the Peterborough area openly boasting of shooting an Osprey, this could of course be a load of bull, but I cannot believe the minds of some people.
      J

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  2. wildaboutwales14 August 2012 at 18:54

    time to shoot individuals who persecute the birds

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  3. Larry Ostby14 August 2012 at 19:23

    Ospreys are incredible birds, one of my favorites. Hopefully the populations will increase in your area and your opportunities of sighting and photography will multiply.

    Thanks for checking out my blog.

    If you want, check in my archives, 2011, April,
    One Incredible Osprey

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    1. John15 August 2012 at 20:51

      Hi Larry,
      Thanks for your visit, comment and 'Follow'.
      I have checked out your stunning Osprey photos, I am very envious!
      J

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  4. eileeninmd15 August 2012 at 00:33

    Great post on the Ospreys. I would like to see people punish for their stupid actions.

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    1. John15 August 2012 at 20:52

      Hi Eileen,
      Thank you. Yes, although the punishment would probably not be harsh enough in my opinion.
      J

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  5. Tammy15 August 2012 at 03:00

    Glad to hear the Osprey is making a comeback! They are very prevalent in my area. The population experienced a great decline in the US in the past due to toxins, but they have made a great comeback also!

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    1. John15 August 2012 at 20:54

      Hi Tammy,
      Yes, they are slowly building up in numbers, hopefully they will continue to spread. There are a lot of places that are suitable for them to breed, but apparently they are only found in 20% of these.
      J

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  6. bazza15 August 2012 at 06:44

    A very distinctive bird. How far away was it when the picture was taken?
    Peterborough seems to be the centre of Britain's bird-watching locations - or perhaps it's just where the experts are!
    Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. John15 August 2012 at 20:57

      Hi Bazza,
      Yes, very distinctive! I was about 600 metres, maybe more. I did try and get a bit closer, but didn't want to scare the bird off.
      I don't know about being the centre, it is where 'Birdwatching' magazine is produced, that is where you would find the experts.
      J

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  7. Roy15 August 2012 at 12:15

    That is pretty good results with that new camera John under the circumstances.

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    1. John15 August 2012 at 20:58

      Thanks Roy, very kind of you to say so. I don't mean to moan about heat haze, especially not after the summer that have/are had/having!
      J

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  8. Gillian Olson16 August 2012 at 01:19

    The osprey is a beautiful bird, I have never got a good shot of one, you did well.

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    1. John16 August 2012 at 20:03

      Hi Gillian,
      They are indeed and Thank you, I did my best! :)
      J

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  9. theconstantwalker16 August 2012 at 19:54

    Wonderful to see John.. I managed a shot of one catching a fish (Bassenthwaite) from a distance last year... a lovely bird to see.

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    1. John16 August 2012 at 20:04

      Hi Andrew,
      Always a treat to see! I would love to manage a photo of one fishing, must practice a bit more! ;)
      J

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