Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
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Distribution Britain 168 (+572%) Ireland 2 (0%)
Numbers breeding: Britain 99 RBBP Ireland 0 European status: 5,000 (2% in Britain and Ireland =7) British population trend: further expansion assured How likely are you to record it? 9 squares (0.2%) Ranked 151= |
This was the flagship species for nature conservation following its progressive extermination from Scotland, mainly by collectors. The last nesting attempts were in 1908 and 1916. Birds returned and nested in 1954 and gradual establishment and expansion ensued. They are popular with visitors and often a status symbol for the local lairds. One is alleged to have stocked the pond in front of his house with trout for the local breeding pair! Many sites used are now traditional with nests growing bigger and bigger each year. The total of pairs with nests reached 111 in 1997 with a steady increase (doubling every ten years). About 90% of the pairs breed and the 75% that are successful raise, on average, two young. In recent years chicks from Scottish nests have been released at Rutland Water and, in 1999 birds from this scheme returned to summer. Within a year or two breeding in England will start again after a lapse of about 200 years — but will Rutland or a wild pair elsewhere be first? They may even breed again in Ireland after an absence of 250 years. Shooting in Africa still accounts for some British birds. Up to 400 pairs, all over the place, by 2025?
The following Bird On! sketch is available:
Osprey
From
The
State of the Nations Birds
Copyright © 2000 by Chris Mead