Osprey & prey

Birds of a feather Gary Jones and Leigh Pugh photograph ospreys from a purpose-built hide

Breeding ospreys are now found in England, Scotland and Wales, but once upon a time the birds were locally extinct in all three regions.

Thankfully, they returned to Scotland of their own accord in 1954 and in 1996 were reintroduced into England, and subsequently spread into Wales. Rutland Water is the epicentre of the reintroduction project and a stone’s throw from Horn Mill Trout Farm, with its endless supply of osprey food. Once the migratory birds realized an all-you-can-eat buffet existed right on their doorstep, they began raiding the ponds during periods of food scarcity. The site was bought by current owners, River Gwash Trout Farm Ltd, at the turn of the millennium. But with up to 1000 fish pillaged from the ponds every year, something had to give.

Rather than net every pond and prohibit the vital food source, the farm opted to work with the Rutland Osprey Project. Their solution was to net all but the largest pond, which would be stocked with a healthy supply of trout between March and August, when the migratory birds visit. They then installed a purpose-built photography hide, providing unique views of the birds that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the UK.

No photographer has visited the farm more than birds-of-prey specialist Gary Jones, who runs multiple workshops from the hide every year. The wildlife pro met up with a bleary-eyed Leigh just before dawn in the hope of capturing the morning feed. This allowed the apprentice to learn the ropes and get his eye in, before another bite at the cherry in the late afternoon.

AFTERNOON TEA

It was about 4.30pm that the pro and apprentice reconvened. Professional spotter Ian was waiting for them. His job would be to sit in the car park, which overlooks the lake and keep Gary updated on a bird’s movements – particularly useful when they’re not visible from the hide. “Thanks Ian,” said Gary as the spotter handed him a walkie talkie.