The osprey is a black-and-white (or sometimes dark brown and white) bird which could possibly be mistaken for a seagull at a distance. It is a large bird of prey with dark brown upperparts and contrasting white underparts that can appear mottled in females.
Their heads are white with a dark brown through their eyes. Their wings during flight show strong barring and distinctively dark brown, angled ‘wrists’.
Classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4, Ospreys have been a firm favourite at Brockholes for many years, and, anxious to see them on the reserve, we erected an Osprey pole to help encourage the stunning bird of prey to nest in Preston.
Our new camera installations have also been placed around the nest, so if (and when!) the Osprey do decide to nest, we will be able to capture it on our new wildlife cameras.
