I noticed some unusual Osprey behaviour a few days ago.................
Abouy 30 or so meters offshore I noticed an Osprey flapping in the surf. I assumed it was trying to take off after catching a fish but it seemed to be in there a long time. It became clear it was swimming to the beach.
It took several minutes to reach the shore.............
It then became clear it had been dragging a rather large fish................
It looked absolutely knackered.
It then started feeding.
It was on the other side of a rivermouth so we quickly drove inland and then to the other side............
It flew off, as you can see it had eaten the head................
What a great encounter to witness. There are anecdotes about Ospreys in Ontario locking into large pike too big to lift from the water and being dragged under and drowned. I have no personal experience of this but I have heard of it from people I would consider reliable and not given to hyperbole.
ReplyDeleteI have heard similar stories from Scottish lochs about Osprey skeletons being found with their talons stil deeply embedded into salmon's backs..........
Deleteamazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wilma..........
DeleteI wonder what percentage of the Osprey's weight that fish is....!!
ReplyDeleteIt must be about the same naybe? Like a person picking up a fully grown pig........
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