Geograph - photograph every grid square

This picture was taken at the Wigtown Bay LNR Visitor Centre on the top floor of the county buildings in Wigtown from a live CCTV feed showing the nest of the Wigtown Bay Ospreys that have been returning to the area for the last 5 years to breed. The location of the nest is a well kept secret making this close up picture the only one available and it shows the female (H/D) of the breeding pair right of picture tearing off pieces of fish that has been brought in by the male (EP) to feed the two onlooking chicks (JC and JD) left of picture.

Every year when the Ospreys return around April time the bell in the tower at the county buildings is rung to announce their arrival to the population of Wigtown especially the local school children who make their way over to see these fine birds.

The two chicks have been ringed and now fledged taking their first flights in the next day or so. The chicks will usually take a few test flights and remain by the nest until August after which they will make their long winter migration to West Africa, the females usually leaving first.