I always take the first two weeks of September off work to go birdwatching and in particular to look for Ospreys. I live in West Sussex and the best time to see Ospreys is on their autumn migration. During the spring migration they tend to rush through and not really hang around anywhere.
This year there was a total lack of Ospreys. Usually reliable places such as Thorney Island (West Sussex)or Dungeness (Kent) will provide a good sighting but this year there was nothing. I missed 1 Osprey on Thorney Island whilst I was at Dungeness but even that one didn't stay for the usual week-10 days. I am assuming that although the weather was fine there were strong winds along the coast and that may have caused them to go on a different route.
So unless I get lucky at a weekend I won't be seeing an Osprey this year. Anyone else in the South East had the same problem?
Work to live don't live to work
I think there have been more easterlies blowing this year - and the birds we have data for seem to be using a western or central corridor south over the UK.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!