Osprey

The Osprey is a large, easily recognisable bird of prey with dark brown feathers on its back and white feathers underneath. It has a distinctive dark stripe running through its pale head near the eyes. Its long, narrow wings are held in a clear M-shape when flying, and the pale underside of the wings has dark patches near the wrist, helping to identify it. This bird is found all over the world except Antarctica. In the UK, it mainly breeds in Scotland, but its numbers are growing in England and Wales. Ospreys live near the coast, large rivers, and freshwater lakes where they catch only fish. They hover in the air before diving feet-first into the water. Their feet have special features: the outer toes can move backwards, and the soles have rough pads to help hold onto slippery fish. In the UK, ospreys are visitors during the summer months and migrate to West Africa for the winter. They build large nests made of sticks on dead trees, man-made platforms, or sometimes on electricity pylons near good fishing spots.