This was an interesting day spent at Long Reef on the Northern Beaches, but also a bit frustrating. There were plenty of Ospreys around, and they were quite active, but they did not actually catch any fish close to the shore.
When I arrived, thee were two Ospreys that were flying together. I am not sure if this was courtship flying or two young Osprey flying close for some sort of combat practice.
This one cruised by quite close –
Now three Ospreys –
At last, one diving for a fish –
But the Osprey was not successful.
Another dive –
The bird pulled out early.
Another dive –
And another pull out.
Another dive –
And again, the bird pulled out.
Another dive –
But again the bird pulled out before hitting the water.
Now, a juvenile White Bellied Sea Eagle appears, escorted by two Magpies.
The Ospreys return.
A distant dive –
But the bird pulled out. Then another dive –
It pulled out, then dived again –
Again, pulling out.
A Nankeen Kestrel appeared over the Headland.
Then an Osprey cruised past with a fish. A quite small fish.
But the Osprey seemed to be using the fish as a trophy. It circled around with it.
Then one of the Ospreys landed right on the beach. The tide was high, so the beach area was quite small, and the Osprey was very close.
Then a second Osprey landed near the first.
The Osprey with the fish re-appeared.
Then the White Bellied Sea Eagle was back.
I was about to leave, and had climbed up to the lookout. I finish with a few photos of the Nankeen Kestrel.
