From tiny Merlins to enormous White-tailed Eagles, the UK’s birds of prey come in all shapes and sizes. These masterful predators are a real treat to see, but they’re often super-fast and many species look quite similar, which can make identifying them a challenge. In this guide, we share some simple ID tips to help you.
Ospreys breed by lochs and lakes. They’re increasing as a breeding bird and nesting in more and more places, but Scotland remains their stronghold. You might also spot them further south as they pass through on migration.
Ospreys are fish-eating birds of prey and you might see them soaring over a lake peering intently into the water, before hurtling downwards and diving in head-first, with their talons outstretched to grab their prey. They will also fly low over the water to snatch any unsuspecting fish that swim close to the surface. To help them keep hold of their slippery prey, Ospreys have special spines on their feet and will hold the fish headfirst to limit air resistance and help with flight.
