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Thursday, 15 September 2016

Arundel Osprey

We started another baking hot day up on the downs, just below Kithurst Hill, in search of the juvenile Pallid Harrier. Unfortunately, after two and a half hours we had seen virtually nothing, well that's not quite true as there were hundreds of immature Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges in the stubble fields before us. A single Buzzard was the only raptor seen so we decided on pastures new. The Red-backed Shrike on the north wall at Pagham was a likely candidate but as we set off we received a Tweet from Nick Bond informing the world of an Osprey perched in Offham Hanger above WWT Arundel.

Sure enough when we arrived it was sitting out as bold as brass, we grabbed the cameras and set off to get closer. On the way we met Nick who informed us that it couldn't be seen from the road  - not quite true as a few minutes later I found myself face to face with the bird. I don't know who was more surprised, me or the bird - we played peek-a-boo around a tree trunk and as I desperately tried to withdraw he decided to leave.  I felt a tad annoyed with myself that we didn't get a decent session on what was a great bird. At least I now know that you can get a view of that dead tree from the road.

 


 
 

 

 

"Action crop" - which is an excuse for not getting the subject in the centre of the frame.
At least it shows that the bird carried no rings.





We searched for the bird on the reserve with no result and constant scanning of the Hanger revealed only a flyby Peregrine -  next time I will be a little more careful.
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5 comments:

  1. nickbondsview15 September 2016 at 23:50

    Glad you connected Dave, great views and great pics again! I ran out of time as had to head to work so couldn't have a proper search along the road...until the next bird!.....

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    Replies
    1. Dave Potter16 September 2016 at 08:51

      Thanks Nick - suddenly found myself underneath the bird and looking up into his eyes, managed a few shots whilst trying to find some cover, just in too much of hurry I guess.

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  2. James and Dawn Langiewicz16 September 2016 at 09:39

    wow, you found it Dave, great work and beautiful images

    Dawn and I spent the morning there on Thursday, never found it and had to leave by 1130, maybe another time ;-)

    Cheers
    J&D

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    Replies
    1. Dave Potter16 September 2016 at 13:21

      Hi D&J - if you look NE from the car park you can see two tall dead trees on the skyline, below the left tree there is another dead tree that the bird was in. Walk up the road until you see a break in the rh hedge, look up from that spot and there is a restricted view of the perch - good luck
      Dave

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    2. James and Dawn Langiewicz17 September 2016 at 05:45

      only thing we could think is that he/she must not have been up there when we arrived, possibly flying in later that morning, just our luck. Thankfully you got lucky and created some amazing images ;-)
      J&D

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