Osprey...

I met Helen mid-afternoon at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve and, without expecting to see much, we checked out some of the hides. We saw most birds from the public hide, halfway along the Cut. A greenshank was the standout sighting, along with some good views of marsh harriers. We were on our own in the hide, after everyone else had left, when a bird of prey started hovering over the water. I thought it was another harrier, but no… it was an osprey… which dived down into the water and came up with a substantial fish. It was such a perfect and unexpected moment; I half expected to hear a running commentary by Richard Attenborough. Mobbed first by a crow, then a marsh harrier, the Osprey spiralled upwards with its catch, and was lost from view. It probably came from Foulshaw Moss: maybe 15 miles by road, but only about three miles… as the osprey flies…

The Piel Island ferryman goes to collect his boat...