Looking for an osprey

I know that ospreys call in Staffordshire at this time of year and as I was driving over the long bridge at the local reservoir where they are seen, I saw lots of photographers and men with binoculars. I decided to pull over for a look.

I asked the first group who clearly weren’t taking me seriously. I asked a few questions and after a few silly answers they were more helpful.

The second group of men, who were members of the West Midlands birding group as they had keys to the gate to the car park. They were great and just moving on. One told me where they’d seen the osprey and that it had caught a really big fish and would be unlikely to be back for a few hours.

I then decided to head off to the local reserve and public car park as the sky was fabulous and irrespective of birds, I knew I’d get some lovely photos.

Walking down to the waters edge, I spoke to a couple walking their dog. The guy told me they’d just seen a huge bird of prey sitting on the fence. Merlin had heard both buzzards and an osprey, so I headed off briskly. I saw the said bird.

It was a long way away. I took quite a few shots. I was excited. 

I spoke to a few walkers who looked at my shots (albeit on the camera).

When I got home, I posted three photos on the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Photography Group website. Like blippers, they are helpful, well informed and polite. They quickly pointed out that it was a Common Buzzard, or “English Eagle, as the Scots say.”

I got pics of a real grebe, many cormorants, and assorted egrets, but for the osprey, just not my day……