We are very fortunate to have ospreys visit a loch just a mile away from us. The other night we went looking for one and there were actually two hunting for their supper at the same time. We watched them circle round, then hover, then plunge feet first down into the water. We watched at least five plunges but they did not seem to be catching anything. Some local fishermen told us that these were juvenile ospreys with their L plates on!
The ducks got a bit of a fright when one plummeted down next to them like an airborne missile.
It was unsuccessful and struggled to get back out of the water. Then when it got into the air it shook the water off its body.
Then it resumed its flying over the water, peering down into the depths of the loch. The fishermen also told us that in hot weather it’s harder for them to fish as their prey go deeper down to where oxygen levels are better.
I was giving up hope of them catching anything as the sun set and the light began to fade. However just as I was leaving one of them caught a small one. Not much of a fish supper, more a fish finger.
As well as ospreys we enjoyed seeing the swans with their one cygnet enjoying the golden hour before sunset.
We also spotted what we think was a juvenile oystercatcher.
Then on the way back to our car we delighted in seeing this baby bunny, and we crept ever closer to it to take its photograph.
It had better watch out for all the predators around such as stoats, foxes, owls and buzzards.
At least it doesn’t have to worry about the ospreys!
Sarah's Wildlife Watch 