SANParks.org Forums

i saw my first Osprey at Umgeni River Mouth, down in Durban over the New Year Period. It was nice enough to go fishing, which it failed at a few times and then finally got right and flew off with its prize... right over my head and i got to see the poor fishy flying for the first and last time in its lil life..

Got excited reading this thread, as last week in Kruger, I saw a big bird try for a fish and miss. I thought it might have been an osprey, but the more I read, the more I am sure it was a juv fish eagle.

BB, I have had the fortunate opportunity of seeing Osprey hunt on 2 occasions now.

Unlike Fish Eagle it flaps slowly over the water at about 10-15m high and then suddenly speeds up as it approaches the prey. I have read that it might hover even. Anyhoo, it then plunges quite unceremoniously into the water quite unlike a Fish Eagle would do.

As it drags the prey out and up it immediately maneuvers the fish in a linear position to eliminate any wind resistance.

Thanks Oom, then I definitely saw a JFE.

For those interested there is still an Osprey around the Mankwe dam (Pilansberg). Took this photo today at 12h00.

Juvenile Osprey seen between Lower Sabie and Skukuza last week - sorry about the poor quality photos

Wow! great sighting El-Bok.

Hi there

I am going to say that, that is a Juv African Fish Eagle. Those white markings on the shoulder leading to the back is indicative of a juvie.

Compare the photo with Lizet's photo a few posts up and you will see what I mean.

Sorry

Oh ok Dan thanks for that

Well......as the Osprey is a migratory bird he spends half of the year in Europe where he also breeds. In Germany´s two north-eastern provinces Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg sightings of Ospreys are almost guaranteed. I saw a breeding couple with a juvenile last year and a hunting osprey last week.

Unfortunately the birds were too far away for a good photo.

Very nice Osprey photos on the public sightings gallery. Taken at Skukuza Golf Club. Will be searching for this bird the next time I get to Skukuza

The one and only I've seen in Kruger was flying over Pioneer Dam. This was around 1994 or so.

Johan

saw this osprey in december on the skukuza golf course-ps i looked like a idiot when i was running down from the clubhouse to the water....but i got the photos

Looking like an idiot is a hazard of a birder's trade Bibs.

I ran out of my house with binos staring into the plane tree across the road for months before the Klass' cuckoo showed itself!

Had a stunning osprey sighting in WCNP last month. It flew overhead with a fish in its talons. No time for a pic. Just enjoyed.

I am also up for correction here. Could this be an Osprey or a juv fish-eagle. This pic was taken along the Biyamithi river where you often see fish-eagles.