Hello All:
This morning in the south end of Richland I watched my first Osprey for the year on a nest that remained from last year. While stopping to look at some ducks, the Osprey took off and I lost track of it briefly. Shortly thereafter, it flew immediately in front of me and I noted that it had what I assumed was a fish. It continued to a power pole about 100 yards away and proceeded to deal with its prey. I was amazed when it proceeded to pluck its "fish." This continued for a while and I decided to move a bit closer to see if I could tell what the prey was. I drove to within about 30 yards and remained in my car with the window down. I don't know if in doing this I spooked the bird, but, in any event, it flew, dropping it meal. It made no effort to retrieve its prey but continued on until I lost it again. I was unable to retrieve the prey myself and can only say that it was dark and smallish. The only birds around that seemed about right were a number of Buffleheads, the females pretty well fitting the bill. Whatever it was, I don't think the Osprey particularly wanted it. This is the first time in almost 40 years of birding that I have seen an Osprey with anything but a fish.

Bob Woodley
Richland, WA
bobpatwoodley at msn.com