with Brock

AN osprey appeared recently near the Naze before continuing its journey south to west Africa. This was a very rare sight and the bird was seen fishing on Hamford Water.

The Naze and nearby Hamford Water are internationally important areas for bird migration and this time of year it starts getting busy.

The osprey (pandion haliaetus) is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution. The subspecies pandion haliaetus haliaetus is native to Eurasia and is found in the British Isles, where it is a scarce breeder, primarily in Scotland with smaller numbers in England and Wales. It became extinct in the British Isles in 1916, but recolonised in 1954.

Scandinavian birds migrate through Britain on the way to their breeding sites. The osprey formerly inhabited much of Britain, but heavy persecution, mainly by Victorian egg and skin collectors, during the 19th Century and early 20th Century brought about its demise.

The osprey became extinct as a breeding bird in England in 1840 and in 1996 English Nature and Scottish Natural Heritage licensed a project to re-introduce the osprey to central England. Over six years, chicks from Scottish nests were moved to the nature reserve at Rutland Water in the Midlands, where they were released. Funding was provided by Anglian Water, and the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust managed the project, supported by a large team of volunteers.

In addition to the spectacular osprey sighting, bird migration has been evident along the Naze with chiffchaff, blackcap, goldcrest, firecrest, pied flycatcher, spotted flycatcher, yellow browed warbler and wheatear.

A passage of meadow pipits and hirundines was spotted flying by. Short-eared owl and barn owl have both been reported and nine spoonbills were seen flying in to Hamford Water – the biggest flock recorded in Essex.

Tendring Essex Wildlife Trust's next local group meeting is at Beaumont village hall at 7.30pm on October 25 with Dr Annie Gordon speaking on protecting Tendring's wildlife from development.

The Naze Centre has organised a full week of activity for half-term with Halloween-themed wildlife, crafts, fossil activities and lots of outdoor fun for children and families. The week finishes on October 29 with the ever-popular Fossils Galore team returning to the centre all day to discuss fossils and help identify any finds brought in.

Call 01255 6798379 or check facebook.com/EWTNaze for more details.