I think Osprey's are really cool. However if this one is eating one of the Grass Carp I just stocked 2 days ago, I may have to rethink my stance. At $15 each I'm providing it a very expensive meal.
Heck, I can get fish AND chips at a restaurant for less than $15.
I agree that ospreys are cool to watch, but am sorry to hear you are losing your newly stocked fish.
All of the experts on Pond Boss talk about the importance of acclimatizing fish to the pond as a key step in the stocking process.
I don't know the correct answer, but perhaps build a soft mesh fish cage with a lid and leave the carp in there for a few days? After they get out they may be acclimated enough to your water to go hide in your aquatic plants?
I believe DD1 strung some lines above his ponds to protect against cormorant predation. I think he has a thread where he thought it was pretty effective.
Maybe you can set a few posts as line anchors. When you are going to stock, install your pond lines with lots of ribbons so the ospreys, cormorants, etc. will be deterred. I am sure they will be quite ugly, but you can take them back down after a few days when your new fish have mostly found good hiding places.
Of course, your drone videos readily convey how easy it is for an osprey to observe a fish in the open from the exact same point of view!
