On Air Christmas Night Sundown Judith Ley | 9:00pm - 1:00am

Rare bird of prey spotted over Santon

An osprey is fish-eating bird of prey listed as endangered because of illegal killing

An osprey pays the Island a visit

The spell of good weather has been good for more than just gardeners it seems.

An osprey has been spotted on the Island today.

Director of Manx Birdlife Neil Morris, says he spotted the bird of prey in Santon this morning.

The raptor is considered a rarity in the Island's skies, with just one or two sightings each year of the bird as a passing migrant.

The bird was heading northwards, gaining height as it did so, and Neil described the sight as "magic!"

According to the RSPB, there is believed to be just 200-250 breeding pairs in the British Isles with Scotland considered a 'stronghold' for the species.

Osprey distribution map courtesy of RSPB 

More from Isle of Man News