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Saw that one in Scotland a couple of weeks ago. Must have flown business class with SAA.

Richard

I have only been to the Kruger in the high summer 3 times. Once was in the floods and we saw very little except water. Both other trips we saw osprey - 1 in a December and 2 in a January. I had not realised how unusual this must have been.

I still find it fascinating what different people see. I have a particular dislike of those who see roan and sable at every turn; I have seen 1 in 20 years!

Richard

Too true. I have heard of people seeing Osprey in Kruger on numerous occasions and yet it is listed as rare. You are lucky to have seen two before.

I've never seen an osprey in Kruger , but have seen one on the wild coast

I have seen Osprey twice in Kruger although both times from the high water bridge across the Sabie, so also on the H4-1, Probably the same bird therefore but on different years. They seem to be more common a lot further north.

Hi Snippy and welcome to the forum.

I hadn't realised there were Osprey in RSA. I know they get around.

I follow the breeding in the UK by webcams and was surprised to see one catch a fish at Cochin in India earlier this year. Perfect environment with the Kerela Backwaters but I just hadn't expected to see one while having breakfast.

I'm new to the forums too and hadn't even noticed the Osprey topic!

WTM,

Saw one two years running at Mpondo Dam, on a nest in one of the dead trees nearest the dam wall, around 1996-7.

Maybe they'll come back?

I hope for your sake too, else I will have to come back and haunt you till you show me one!

We saw one from the Mopani Camp lookout in Dec overlooking the dam at the camp.

We also saw one on the Pioneer dam (from our hut as it happens!) in February. Probably the same one.

Richard

Saw my first osprey several times over the last 2 weeks. Also saw it carry off a fish and maneuvering it headway into the wind to streamline the operation. Will try to post pics soonest.

Hi WTM - where did you see the Osprey? In KNP? I've seen one in Nigeria, but still have not seen one in SA....

Snoobab, before he turned his back on you, I gather you did check for the mask. I saw mine close range at Kosi on an inlet at Lake aManzamnyama. It was eating a fish when a Palm-Nut Vulture came and drove it away. I was so excited that I wanted to step out from the canoe onto what I imagined to be some sort of shortish ground-cover, which was actually a surface water-weed. I would have dropped straight down into water. The water of aManzamnyama is black coffee-coloured btw, due to the Raffia-Palm forest. lol. Thinking back now it's seems funny but I was rather horrified back then with crocs and hippo in the lake!!

Hi Niall,

I saw it in the town of Grootbrakrivier, on the Garden route between George and Mossel Bay.

Sorry bout the bad photo quality. I had to zoom quite far to get the shot. You never have your camera on good photo opportunities, do you?

The photo was taken after the Osprey was chased out of its tree by a Jackal Buzzard.



To ID this bird I had make sure that I could see the white crown and broad dark mask across the eyes clearly to distinguish it from Juv. Fish Eagle.

In flight it was easy to ID as it appears gull like. Juv. Fish Eagle also has broad wings. It also clearly maneuvered a fish to face inline with the flight direction to streamline it after catching it one morning.