Birds
Terns defend feeding grounds from migrating osprey
A visiting raptor trying to catch fish in a Hampshire harbour was repeatedly driven off by resident terns before continuing its autumn journey south.
Reported by The Guardian · · 1 min read
A traveling osprey encountered fierce aerial competition while attempting to hunt in Hampshire waters, according to an observer at Chichester Harbour. The raptor had paused during its southward autumn migration to feed in a tidal channel, but local seabirds quickly intervened.
The encounter unfolded near Fowley Island, where grey seals were resting on tidal flats and younger individuals wrestled in the surf. Further along the waterway, a group of sandwich terns had gathered to dive after baitfish pushed upward by hunting sea bass.
Aerial standoff
Approaching from the north, the osprey stood out due to its broad wingspan and characteristic angled wing posture. Upon locating fish, the raptor descended toward the surface with outstretched talons, intending to secure a meal before continuing its seasonal flight.
The resident terns immediately mobilized to protect their foraging area. They swarmed the larger bird, executing tight aerial maneuvers to block its path and forcing it to drop its prey back into the water.
Despite returning for a second attempt, the predator faced persistent resistance. After one of the defending terns struck it directly with its pointed bill, the osprey abandoned the hunt entirely and took flight across the bay.
Osprey populations have seen a notable rebound across Britain in recent decades, leading conservationists to install nesting platforms in coastal spots like Chichester Harbour. While this bird moved on empty-handed, local observers remain hopeful that migrants may eventually settle in the region to rear young.
