Ospreys are very distinctive birds. Their mostly white underparts with black wrist patches rule out most other birds except perhaps an exceptionally pale buzzard species. Ospreys have a unique shape with their long narrow wings always kinked at the wrist to make an 'M' shape and arched when seen head-on. Their habit of hovering over water then plunging feet first to catch a fish distinctive.

Breeds in conifers near lochs, rivers and the coast.

The species re-colonised Scotland in 1954 and since then numbers have increased steadily. The best place to see them easily is at the RSPB Reserve of Loch Garten near Aviemore. Here birds can be watched from hides sitting on the nest. Birds can also be seen most evenings at the nearby fish farm, where they feed. Passage birds are also regular both in spring and autumn, especially in southern England. Seven chicks from Scotland were released at Rutland water in the summer of 1996 to begin an attempt to establish a breeding population there.

Good sites to see this bird include Albufuera Marshes (Mallorca), Siikalahti (Finland), Kvismaren (Sweden) and Loch Garten (Scotland), where a breeding pair is overlooked by an observation hide.

©BirdGuides 1999