First osprey breeding at RSPB nature reserve in England ‘incredibly’ exciting
The species was persecuted to extinction as a breeding bird in the early 20th century, but returned to Scotland in the 1950s and have since recolonised other parts of the UK.
The RSPB is celebrating a conservation success after ospreys bred at one of the charity’s nature reserves in England for the first time.
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A pair of the rare birds of prey successfully hatched three chicks at RSPB Campfield Marsh, a wetland on the shores of the Solway Firth in Cumbria, in June, the nature charity said.
Ospreys, a migratory bird that journeys from wintering grounds in west Africa to Europe to breed in the spring, are a large fish-eating species typically seen over large bodies of water such as estuaries or lakes.
The species was persecuted to extinction as a breeding bird in the early 20th century, but returned to Scotland – now a stronghold for ospreys – in the 1950s and have recolonised other parts of the UK, with an estimated 316 pairs across the country.
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The reserve at Campfield Marsh has an osprey platform to attract the birds of prey and the adults who have nested there are thought to be first-time parents, with the male ringed in Dumfries in 2021 and an unringed female whose age and origin are unknown, the RSPB said.
Eggs were laid between April 30 and May 6, and once the chicks hatched in June a local primary school helped name them Ash, Bowness Bobbi and Beau.
They have been ringed, and are expected to fledge in August, but are likely to remain in the area learning to fish and fend for themselves before starting the weeks-long migration to Africa from September.
Mhairi Maclauchlan, site manager at RSPB Campfield Marsh, said: “We are incredibly excited to be the first RSPB reserve in England to host a pair of breeding ospreys.
“We were on tenterhooks after the eggs were laid and throughout the incubation period until they hatched. There was huge collective sigh of relief when they did."
She added that Osprey parents are "surprisingly tender despite their large size and sharp talons", and are often up to amusing antics with their "nest tidying exploits and antics".
“Ospreys are frequently site and partner faithful, so we’re hoping to see more of them and their offspring in the future."
Ms Maclauchlan added that the leg rings the chicks have been fitted with will allow any further sightings of the young birds after they have fledged to be recorded, which will help to monitor their movements.
“It will be exciting to know when and where the chicks are next seen and find out where they choose to breed in a few years’ time.”