Ospreys breed in south UK for first time in 200 years

The pair have returned from wintering grounds in west Africa

- HARRY COCKBURN

A pair of ospreys have laid an egg in their nest at a secret location in the Poole Harbour area, which experts believe is the first breeding attempt by the species in southern Britain in almost 200 years.

The species was once widespread across Europe, but was persecuted to extinction in Britain by the 1840s, with birds killed for taxidermy and eggs stolen by collectors. In the mid20th century the birds returned to Scotland, and they have slowly spread. However, in the 70 years since they have been back, they have not previously nested in the south of the country.

The new nesting attempt is the result of an osprey reintroduction project which began in 2017, which aims to rebuild the osprey's historical range. According to the charity Birds of Poole Harbour, which carried out the reintroduction alongside the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, the pair of birds, known as CJ7 and 022, first met in spring 2021 after their arrival back at Poole Harbour following their migration to wintering grounds in West Africa.