Osprey Pandion halietus

Large pale raptor, often mistaken for large gull; catches fish in a spectacular feet first dive

Habitat: freshwater, sea, estuaries, forests and woods

Summer visitor to Scotland, winters in mid-Africa

Upperparts dark brown, white below with black and white markings; small head and bill

Often seen high overhead or hovering over water from where it plunges to feed

Eats fish exclusively

Nest is a mass of sticks in tree

1 brood April – June ; 3 creamy eggs blotched reddish