Osprey

[lindsaythfc]

This may seem a bizarre question. Where do our Osprey's go out of breeding season? They are often seen in Derbyshire during spring and autumn as they are passing over to and from their breeding areas, but where do they go?

[Andyvon]

Its not a bizarre question Lindsey. I think British opsreys migrate in the winter to southern Europe and West Africa. They return in the spring to breed and then the fledgelings follow their parents back to their winter habitats in the autumn. Hope that helps.

[Cetti]

Ospreys are gradually making a comeback lindsay, after being persecuted for many years, but still the numbers aren't huge, so to see them passing over you must be a magical sight. Lucky you!!

One of the most successful breeding places in the UK is Loch Garten in Scotland (I think it has its own website) where visitors can watch them being fed. There is also a place in the Lake District and Rutland Water has been running an Osprey Project.

Like the Red Kite they are slowly on the increase, but they still like to spend their winters in Africa, south of the Sahara - and I don't blame them!

[lindsaythfc]

Thankyou both for that. Unfortunalty i haven't seen them personally. They often 'stop off' at a resevoir near where I live but I've never seen them. I plan to go to Rutland water next summer to see them.
Derbyshire had it's first pair of hen harriers this year!!

[Andyvon]

I live in the Chilterns and we have loads of red kites here now they have been successfully re-introduced. We even have pairs living in the town and we can sit in our lounge and watch them wheeling and playing together outside. A few weeks ago I was walking nearby and a red kite was about twenty feet above me for over a minute. I could see his/her eye looking down and I'm sure it was watching me walking along.
I have never seen an osprey though. I would love to and I hope you see one soon.

[spudqueen]

Apparently osprey stop over at a lake not 10 miles from me during the spring and autumn, unfortunately I always hear about it AFTER they've been! One day I'll be lucky enough to be there when they do stop off!