It all started as Lynda and me were off on our Sunday afternoon shopping trip to Asda Halifax at 1230 hrs when a phone call from Angela of the Angela and Gary team threw the cat amongst the pigeons. She said Gary had his bins on what he thought was an Osprey near to Leeshaw reservoir. Minutes after a text saying the bird was much nearer now and confirmed as a definite Osprey. You can imagine the thoughts going through my head but not wanting the expense of a divorce I kept cool and started a ring round.
First text was the grapevine as the bird would probably head south down the Calder valley over flying Fly Flatts etc. Next was to try find some eyes out there so an alert to NK who jumped off the bus and headed for the Roper Lane watch point ready for it passing. Next to CK to see if he was out and about and then a call to HC at Oxenhope who lives in easy reach of Leeshaw but no reply and unfortunately I did,nt have a number for RP and BV who also live in the area.
With everyone alerted we were ready for it moving, not so simple. Another text from Angela saying the bird had left towards Leeming reservoir so another alert to the cavalry that it was on its way south.
Whilst all this was going on I was pushing a trolley round Asda with smoke coming from my phone as well as Lyndas ears, not a happy bunny.
Then the message from Angela to beat all messages, the Osprey had returned to Leeshaw , dropped into the water and pulled out a large Trout and was eating it on the shoreline. At least now I know that I,m not prone to a heart attack or it would have happened when I read that message. More messages out and more snarls from Lynda but shopping done and on our way home. Next was shopping out of the car, grab Big Bertha and head for Leeshaw , as always behind the slowest drivers ever. A call to Angela on route confirming the bird had been disturbed from the shoreline by an angler but flown low to the top end of the reservoir out of site but retaining the fish. After a 20 minute neck pumping drive I arrived to meet Angela and Gary saying the bird had not flown as far as they could see. Angela also mention casually that there were 3 Dunlin and a Bar Headed goose present!
A thorough search all around the reservoir failed to find the target bird but sure enough the booby prize of Bar Headed goose was there and although an escaped feral it was a great bird for Leeshaw and didnt appear to have rings.
NR and CK appeared as well as a couple of unknown birders but I thought it was time to leave to face the music as my back in an hour was now nearly two but then the inevitable happened. As I drove through Oxenhope a call from DJS and NR that the bird was back at Leeshaw with another fish. No choice here but a handbrake turn in the road and a thrash back to the reservoir only to find it had flown NE and dropped into trees about 2 miles away, oh well, thats birding.
A big thank you to Angela and Gary for starting the ball rolling and keeping in touch throughout and thanks to Chris King and Niall Roach for making the effort to turn up and pleasingly reaping the benefits.Also thanks to all the watchers on the expected route >S.
No Osprey pics from me but bonus bird, Bar Headed Goose.
