Raptors are like corvids during the summer and get territorial and defensive
toward other raptors that could harm them, their mate or young as well as
steal their territory. The osprey should have fledglings and they may have
been in the area. The osprey was probably acting out of instinct and that
area may have had their fledglings at one point or was the site of their
nest or a fishing spot. At any rate ospreys are always being harassed by
eagles like skuas harassing puffins so they don't like to mingle. Merlins
are the same way and they love to harass anything big but they do this year
round and not just during the breeding season. What you saw was very common.
Pretty fun to watch to say the least!



Blake Iverson
Bothell, WA
coopershwk at hotmail.com

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