A big, spectacular bird of prey, with long, angles wings, that feeds on fish caught after headlong plunge from the air.

Persecution and collecting had led to its extinction in Scotland by 1910, but in the 1950s it returned, entirely of its own accord. Since then a long story of protection combined with public viewing at selected nests has made the Osprey a symbol of conservation success in the Highlands, and it has thrived sufficiently well in recent years to reach a total of more than 100 breeding pairs. In spring and autumn they can be seen almost anywhere in Britain as they journey between their northern breeding areas and Africa.