Osprey Bonanza

[ijwilki]

An incredible trip out on the Contractor's boat to the mangrove island just off the construction site - 6 ospreys observed in a little over an hour, 2 on one side of the island and 4 on the other. I couldn't believe it. I knew there were probably 3, but I was dumbfounded to find 6. Got some really good shots of a couple of them. None of them in flight today, but still amazing to see them. One pic of each uploaded.

[ijwilki]

6th osprey pic attached.

I also had a lifer when a Pallas's Gull was showing really well - photo attached.

[Twitcheruth]

Wonderful Osprey pics Ian,especially pic 2.....am hoping to see one myself tomorrow as we're going down to Powys,Wales for the weekend......i'll be well happy with 1 tho!!! lol
A great image of Pallas's Gull too.....I've never seen one before!

[ijwilki]

Thanks Ruth. Good luck with your trip into Wales, hope you have a good time. I'm looking forward to my next trip home in 4 weeks - we're off to Kielder for 4 days while I'm back.

Pic 2 is my favourite also - we must have been about 30 or 40 yards from it and the sun was behind us. The birds on the posts were considerably further away, and the sun wasn't in such a good position for the bird on the sand.

The Pallas's Gull was big, though not quite as big as a GBB gull.

[Twitcheruth]

Originally Posted by ijwilki

Thanks Ruth. Good luck with your trip into Wales, hope you have a good time. I'm looking forward to my next trip home in 4 weeks - we're off to Kielder for 4 days while I'm back.

Pic 2 is my favourite also - we must have been about 30 or 40 yards from it and the sun was behind us. The birds on the posts were considerably further away, and the sun wasn't in such a good position for the bird on the sand.

The Pallas's Gull was big, though not quite as big as a GBB gull.

Thanks Ian,will post what we see next week!
Don't forget the midge repellent when you go to Kielder!

[Maggie28]

Great pictures IJ. To see 6 Ospreys is just superb!
Do you think they were migrating and just stopped for a rest?
Bit late for migration though is it not?



The Pallas gull is just terrific too.

[ijwilki]

Originally Posted by Maggie28

Great pictures IJ. To see 6 Ospreys is just superb!
Do you think they were migrating and just stopped for a rest?
Bit late for migration though is it not?



The Pallas gull is just terrific too.

Thanks for your comments Maggie.

I think they could be breeding there. I've only seen them in the last couple of months. There are photos on the uae birding (UAE_birding) site taken at various times through the year, and a photo of a massive Osprey nest (link below).

Osprey

I was so engrossed in photographing the ospreys I missed an Egyptian Goose which I can see in the background of the attached picture.

[Debsie]

Fantastic pictures, I am so jealous. I have never seen any sort of Eagle or Buzzard, my only claim to fame is a Kestral which hovers everywhere!
I have to say my favorite is pic 2 as well. I must say the photo of the gull is alot prettier than the one's I see on the coast here, great shots.

[Little Sparrow]

Awesome images of the Ospreys and Pallas's Gull, Ian! Thanks for posting them!

[ijwilki]

Thanks for your comments Debsie and LS - I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. I was on cloud nine just to be able to get close enough for some decent pics. They really are awesome birds and I feel really lucky to have had such wonderful views.