The RSPB is celebrating conservation success after ospreys bred at one of the charity\u2019s nature reserves in England for the first time.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>, in June, the nature charity said.<\/p>\n Ospreys<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n The species was persecuted to extinction as a breeding bird in the early 20th century, but returned to Scotland<\/a> \u2013 now a stronghold for ospreys \u2013 in the 1950s and have recolonised other parts of the UK, with an estimated 316 pairs across the country.<\/p>\n The Osprey chick was born at RSPB Campfield Marsh in Cumbria. Credit: PA Images<\/p>\n 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<\/a> in 2021 and a female whose age and origin are unknown, the RSPB said.<\/p>\n Eggs were laid between 30 April and 6 May, and once the chicks hatched in June a local primary school helped name them Ash, Bowness Bobbi and Beau.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Mhairi Maclauchlan, site manager at RSPB Campfield Marsh, said: \u201cWe are incredibly excited to be the first RSPB reserve in England to host a pair of breeding ospreys.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n The species was persecuted to extinction as a breeding bird in the early 20th century, but returned to Scotland in the 1950s. Credit: PA Images<\/p>\n \u201cOsprey parents are surprisingly tender despite their large size and sharp talons.<\/p>\n \u201cThey can also offer good comedic value with nest tidying exploits and antics.<\/p>\n \u201cOspreys are frequently site and partner faithful, so we\u2019re hoping to see more of them and their offspring in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n The leg rings the chicks have been fitted with will allow any further sightings of the young birds once they have fledged to be recorded and help monitor their movements.<\/p>\n Ms Maclauchlan added: \u201cIt 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\u2019 time.\u201d<\/p>\n