My wife and I were spending the evening with some friends that live on the water in Mt P tonight and while we were all standing outside, a large osprey swooped down on two different occasions after their small (5 pounds) dog. Got close enough to really scare everyone the second time and needless to say the dog went inside after that. I have always been told that ospreys will eat only fish and small frogs/snakes. Anybody else ever seen one go after other prey? On a related subject, any recommendations on keeping them away from the dog? Our friends just moved to town and this was the first time they’ve seen the osprey. We also saw a huge redtail hawk while we were outside tonight. Cool to see if not for the dogs!
I’ve never seen one go after a dog, they’ve come after me before though. In stumphole swamp on lake Marion they are everywhere and will swoop down and buzz you if they think you are a.threat to their nest. I also hooked a few on topwater plugs up in there also and they are no fun when that happens.
I guess its not out of the realm of possibility for one to go after a small dog, though.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
I would cut my line and soil my pants if I hooked an osprey. I’d much rather deal with a snake in the boat.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
I only got one to the boat and a thick carhart jacket and a buddy to help me was the only reason I didn’t lose that plug. We did manage to get the hooks out without losing any fingers or having to get stitches, but I don’t want to do it again.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Maybe he was just having fun. I’ve seen dolphins play with fish, cats play with lizards.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Any bird of prey will go after what it deems sizeable for dinner… what breed of dog was it?
Turkey… the other white meat.
It was a Yorkie. I wondered if maybe it thought it was a squirrel or something, which would explain a hawk being interested.
KeyWest15
Doubt the osprey thought it was a squirrel as they have rather keen eyesight… likely saw it was a good size to pick up and carry off, that iwas out in the open repeatedly, and that it was an opportunistic grab.
Predators would like to expend little energy for gain and that was a good opportunity for such.
Turkey… the other white meat.
I’ve seen them grab a 5# shad, and I’m quite sure they would grab a 5# dog; I doubt he was playing, he was thinking dinner
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
Yep, if they think they can carry it off, they might, and a 5lb. dog is no problem. I’d be real real careful with the little dog.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
That would be interesting if that doggie had a location chip in him and the osprey ate… nevermind.
Turkey… the other white meat.
I doubt it would grab a dog, Osprey Latin for fish hawk