1. They return to their northern breeding territories in early April so sunny days at the start of the month are key dates for finding your own local Osprey.
2. Birds can arrive at any point over our coastline and usually the local gulls give them a noisy escort out of their airspace, drawing attention to their presence over our urban gardens.
3. Once they hit land they tend to head north along rivers and waterways with birds regularly reported heading towards the Arun and Adur rather than up Findon Valley or the over Downs.
Remarkably upto five birds were recorded between 4th and 14th April with three birds flying north or west over the same East Preston garden!
- Osprey 1 - Saturday 4th April circa 12:20 heading north.
- Osprey 2 - Monday 6th April circa 15:00 heading west.
- Osprey 3 - Tuesday 14 April circa 13:00 heading north
A fourth bird was photographed carrying a fish over a lucky observer’s garden north of West Worthing station at about 12:00 on Monday 6th April and another possible was seen heading low towards town from East Worthing about 10:30 on Wednesday 8th April accompanied by gulls.
Additionally just outside our area another two Ospreys were recorded flying north over a birder’s garden in Littlehampton on Saturday 4th April and Sunday 5th April.
