Large white bird suggestions

Following Audlem Online's news story about "The large white bird mystery" on 10th March, we have received a number of interesting suggestions or queries.

Susan James says: "Re the 'Large white bird', I watched a large bird of prey from Bunsley Bank looking North West this afternoon (that's Wednesday afternoon). It had very white underparts and a black back. It had a loud and distinctive call. Could it be an osprey? The RSPB site says: "Can be seen at almost any large body of freshwater during spring and autumn migration." Could it have been hunting on the pool off Longhill Lane? The ducks certainly sounded upset! I'm only a novice birdwatcher so I'd like some confirmation before I can put it on my list!"

Julian Adair has added his own distinctive response: "Re the item regarding the 'large white bird' sighted in the Audlem area, I could put a few names forward but think I'll play safe and put forward this suggestion. My partner, being from South Africa, reckons it was probably an 'ooomegooly' bird from the southern Cape. They apparently have extremely short legs and a rather large undercarriage and they get their strange name from the sound they make upon landing. I hope that clears up the mystery."

Could that be the definitive answer, we wonder. More suggestions or contributions welcome.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.