Country diary: A passing osprey needs to eat – but the local terns won’t let it | Claire Stares
A nature diary entry describes a wildlife encounter in Chichester harbour where a migrating osprey attempts to hunt for fish. The narrative captures the osprey's struggle against local terns while highlighting the beauty of the coastal ecosystem.
Why it matters
It provides a window into local biodiversity and the challenges migratory species face, fostering public appreciation for wildlife conservation.
‘Ospreys have made a remarkable recovery as a breeding species in Britain.’ ‘Ospreys have made a remarkable recovery as a breeding species in Britain.’ Country diary Birds Country diary: A passing osprey needs to eat – but the local terns won’t let it Chichester harbour, Hampshire: I witness a battle of wills as this magnificent raptor attempts to fuel up on sea bass, before it heads south on migration
Prefer the Guardian on Google T he autumnal sunlight gilded the sea as our boat drifted off Fowley Island , a small, uninhabited tidal saltmarsh between Thorney Island and Hayling Island. A colony of grey seals lay sprawled along the intertidal mudflats, their size and prominent, sloping Roman noses making them easily distinguishable from the more lithe, cat-faced common seals that also inhabit the harbour.
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