Bird of prey breeding in Ireland for the first time in 200 years

"This is a huge conservation success story."

The first known case of breeding from ospreys has been recorded in Ireland in modern times. The bird of prey is believed to have bred in Fermanagh in a confidential nesting site, giving birth to at least two, possibly three chicks, according to Ulster Wildlife. Giles Knight, Environmental Farming Scheme Advisor with Ulster Wildlife made the discovery after monitoring the breeding site for a number of seasons.

"I have been keeping this news close to my chest for a long time to ensure the safety and welfare of these spectacular but vulnerable birds. "Along with my son Eoin, I have watched the adults return to the same site since 2021, so you can imagine my excitement the moment that I saw three chicks and two adults this year. It was a rub-your-eyes, once-in-a-lifetime moment; an absolute highlight of my 30-year wildlife career – like finding long-lost treasure. "

Ospreys are medium-sized raptors with a white head with a distinctive brown eyestripe. They are generally white below and brown from above and often mistaken in flight for a very large gull or a buzzard. However, to tell it apart, it has a characteristic ‘M’ shape flight profile made by bending its wings.

"With at least two of the chicks fledging this season, this is a huge conservation success story and indicates a healthy wetland ecosystem with plenty of suitable habitat and fish to bring this apex predator back to our skies and plunging into the Fermanagh Lakelands. Truly the return of a living countryside!"

We are thrilled to share that ospreys have bred in Ireland for the first time in over 200 years. A pair of ospreys have bred at a confidential nest site in County Fermanagh and have successfully produced at least two, possibly three chicks. pic.twitter.com/6i85QkKN1I

— Ulster Wildlife (@UlsterWildlife) August 24, 2023

Ospreys extinct in Ireland in late 18th century

According to Ulster Wildlife, ospreys - who predominantly hunt fish - are thought to have become extinct as a breeding bird in Ireland in the late 18th century due to systematic persecution. Although often sighted on migration to and from sub-Saharan Africa, confirmed breeding in Ireland has been elusive until now, with Scotland their UK breeding stronghold. Mr Knight added that it is extremely important that the ospreys should be left to grow in numbers.

"Now these birds are back in Ireland and breeding successfully, it is critical that they are left in peace so their numbers can continue to grow by returning year on year to breed. We believe and hope that this could be the start of a raptor dynasty."

Ospreys often nest in the same treetop nest, known as an eyrie, for up to 20 years and are largely monogamous.

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