osprey diving @ eagle point - Feb 2017

osprey diving @ eagle point - Feb 2017

diving osprey and chase @ SBWR - Jan2015

It was an afternoon for the ospreys. It's not every day that you see a better show by any of the other raptors. These ospreys are migratory visitors from elsewhere in the Northern hemisphere which spend the colder winter months in and around warmer Singapore. They return north by about end-March. 

The afternoon skies were filled with 4 ospreys. This was unusual in itself as there would usually be about 1 or at most 2 at opposite ends of the shore. One of the ospreys took flight after having sat on a wooden pole at a kelong for a good part of the afternoon. It soon took a turn almost straight down shifting a little before swooping into a steep dive exploding into the water with great force. It soon started flapping its wings lifting its wet body out of the water with a fish attached to its talons.

Ospreys are different from other coastal fishing raptors like the white-bellied sea eagle, grey-headed fish eagle and brahminy kite as they are the only species which dive into the water whereas the others merely snatch fish from just below the water surface. Perhaps the osprey has yet to refine its technique like the others have.

After taking off, the osprey shook off the excess water with a vibrant fluffing of its feathers whilst still holding on securely to its prized catch losing a bit of height in the process, Gaining height, it fluffed its feathers again to rid itself of more water again losing a little height. It was soon targeted by another osprey which chased it trying to cause it to drop the fish. With two swift dodges, it managed to evade the competitor and was able to fly away with its dinner.

diving osprey and chase @ SBWR - Jan2015 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.
(Videoclip has no audio)

Find out more about Ospreys and SBWR :
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/Pandion_haliaetus.htm
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/osprey/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osprey

osprey & fish @ SBWR - Nov2014

Ospreys are impressive fishing birds. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve has seen a return of the migratory ospreys. This one sits atop a favourite perch visible from the quiet Mangrove Boardwalk section.

It had been sitting quietly the water from the bare branches for about half an hour towards the late evening. At about 6.30pm, it flew off returning about half a minute later with a fish in its talons.

The fish was very much alive as it thrashed about in the sure grip of the osprey. The osprey had to spread its wings each time the fish thrashed about to steady itself on the bare branch. This went on for a few minutes with the osprey trying to sneak a bite on the fish.

Finally after about 5 minutes, the fish stopped moving and the bird settled down to its dinner.

Osprey&Fish from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

Find out more about this amazing bird and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/Pandion_haliaetus.htm

osprey @ SBWR - Nov2012

Spotted a large bird sitting atop a dead tree at the edge of Sungei Buloh Besar.  This one had a characteristic dark eye band and I knew it to be an Osprey. Ospreys are migratory and this one was probably visiting during the Northern winter.

The osprey just sat on the branch preening itself for about 30 minutes before I gave up and moved on. 

osprey @ SBWR - Nov2012 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

Read more about the Osprey : 

http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/Pandion_haliaetus.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osprey

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/id

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/osprey/

http://www.peregrinefund.org/subsites/explore-raptors-2001/osprey/osprey.html

http://besgroup.blogspot.com/2006/09/osprey-and-white-bellied-sea-eagles.html