Author Mike Russell

At last, after 27 years of working for the Sussex Wildlife Trust at Woods Mill I’ve finally been rewarded with a wonderful view of an osprey circling over the lake. Thanks to warden Ryan Greaves rushing in to tell me, just about managing to get the words out while trying to catch his breath, I got to see the bird, the first record for the reserve. In the past one has been seen flying high over Woods Mill but this was the first serious visit, eyeing up the very tempting carp that we have cruising in the shallows.

osprey / Andrew Mason

It was around long enough for all my colleagues to come out and get a good view as well, all of us hoping for a spectacular dive into the lake and denuding it of one startled carp but sadly that did not happen. It might however, come back at a quieter time and help him (or her)self to a fish supper.

An osprey has been reported fishing on the River Adur for the last week and it may well have been that individual that has strayed a bit further, but it could have also been a bird making it’s way back from Scotland and calling in to have a good feed before making the arduous journey down to West Africa where it will spend the winter. Penny Green thought it might have a radio tag, which, if that is the case, we can find out who it is and from where it originated.

There are a few ospreys being regularly seen in Sussex at the moment. Both Arlington and Weir Wood Reservoirs have entertained single birds for much of the summer while one has taken up temporary residence down in Thorney Island, Chichester Harbour. Eventually though, they will depart across the channel to carry on their southwards migration.

A visitor to the reserve this afternoon just happened to have a good camera about his person and got some shots of the bird, so we have cajoled him into sending us some, so hope that we can post them on the blog in the future and also if we can find out any more information on the bird’s origins again we will let you know.

Updated 24/08/12
Mark Taylor has kindly sent use some photos he took of the osprey at Woods Mill.

Osprey at Woods Mill / Mark Taylor

Osprey at Woods Mill / Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor, who took the above photographs while visiting Woods Mill with his family commented:

“I am pleased that at least I could provide an image that could be of some use even though I was not set up for bird photography. For me it was good to share the excitement that the staff at the reserve showed and indeed this was evident by the ever increasing buzz around my little family as we ate our lunch. This sort of passion for the environment and what creatures live with us is what I would like my children to inherit so well done for the encouragement and providing somewhere that they can see nature in its glory and in this case “rare” glory.”

Updated 25/08/12
Rutland Osprey Project have confirmed that this bird is an unringed juvenile most likely from Scotland.