Nest sites await return of history-making ospreys

Conservationists are awaiting the return of the first pair of ospreys to breed on England's south coast for 180 years.

Male osprey 022 and female CJ7 have nested at Careys Secret Garden near Wareham, Dorset, since 2022.

The pair are expected to return from their annual migration, usually to western Africa, in late March.

In 2025, a second pair of ospreys nested in the south of England, and 2026 could bring a third pair, the charity Birds of Poole Harbour said.

Sam Ryde from the charity said a young male, hatched in 2023, had shown an interest in returning to the area, and might form the third pair now that he is of breeding age.

However, he said: "Because of the long distance of migration, the return rate is about 30%."

Young ospreys who do not return might have fallen prey to crocodiles and jackals, or have been blown out in to the Atlantic, he said.

Many of the south of England ospreys are ringed but do not carry trackers, so the exact fate of those who are missing is unknown, he added.

A reintroduction scheme, overseen by the charity, began in 2017, when osprey chicks were brought to Dorset from Scotland and released.

Ryde said: "People like to think they are romantic, monogamous and will mate for life.

"But most are loyal to the nest site rather than their partners."

CJ7 and 022 are "very unusual" after hatching four chicks in 2024 and another four in 2025, he said.

A nestcam and a viewing platform have been set up in Careys Secret Garden, while the other nest sites have been kept secret to avoid interference.

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