Residents of Ugingo Village in Siaya County were left astonished after an Osprey, a migratory bird from Russia, landed in the area on Friday morning, November 7, 2025. The fish-eating bird of prey was found entangled in a fishing net in Usigu Sub-location, Central Yimbo, after an exhausting journey from the Palaearctic region.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the bird was wearing a Russian identification tag on its left leg, confirming its origin. Local fishermen safely freed it from the net and took it to the home of Joanes Oraro, where the sight quickly attracted villagers. Village elder Eric Omuok alerted authorities, prompting a swift response from KWS officers in Siaya.

“Responding swiftly, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Siaya team, led by Deputy County Warden Byatt Shikanga, took immediate action to ensure the bird’s safety. The exhausted feathered traveler from the Palaearctic region was carefully secured and put under expert supervision,” the agency said.

Led by Deputy County Warden Byatt Shikanga, the KWS team secured the bird and placed it under expert supervision. It was later handed over to KWS veterinary head Isaac Lekolool and raptor specialist Simon Thomsett from the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust for medical evaluation. The Osprey was transferred to the Raptor Centre in Soysambu Conservancy, where it is undergoing treatment and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.

Kenya’s migratory bird haven

The rare visitor has drawn attention to Kenya’s role as a crucial stopover point for migratory birds. Ospreys, which breed in Europe and Asia, often migrate thousands of kilometres to warmer regions in Africa in search of food during winter. Although sightings in Kenya are uncommon, a few cases have been recorded over the years, including one that flew from Finland to Siaya in 2020.

KWS praised the local community for their quick action and cooperation.

“We encourage the public to report sick or injured wild animals via our toll-free number or to the nearest KWS station for immediate intervention.”