Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 (1/1600th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/1600th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) DescriptionL: 52 - 60 cm; WS: 152 - 167 cm A medium-large, long-winged, ventrally pale raptor with a unique flight silhouette. The Osprey is a summer visitor to Europe and the British Isles. It spends the winter in west Africa. It breeds on clear freshwater lakes, also on coasts on brackish water. Nests are made in the top of pine trees. Ospreys dive feet-first to catch fish. It is an Amber List species because of its historical decline (due to illegal killing), and low breeding numbers. There are between 200 and 250 breeding pairs in the UK. Sightings
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