Scotland is the focus of the UK’s Osprey conservation work.
Until recently, Ospreys were all but extinct as a breeding species in the UK. It was a huge decline from previous centuries, when a large Osprey population lived in Scotland. But by 1850 numbers had fallen to 40-50 breeding pairs, and by the early 1900s there was just a single pair. Being a rare species, Osprey eggs and skins were highly prized by Victorian collectors.
Then, in 1954, a pair nested at Loch Garten in the Cairngorms, closely monitored by the RSPB’s Operation Osprey, which guarded this famous pair. Several decades of careful conservation and breeding led to a slowly expanding population.
Land Owners As ospreys started to build their nests in new areas, increasing numbers of land owners, farmers, foresters, keepers and others became involved in protecting ospreys. Their efforts were essential to the conservationists and so the population prospered
Key aspects have been:
As a result, there are now about 200 breeding pairs in Scotland. This is due to the hard work of organisations and individuals, including the RSPB Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Raptor Groups, Scottish Wildlife Trust, and the Highland Foundation for Wildlife, plus many individual landowners, their staff and others.
Loch Garten. Open from early April, daily 10am to 6pm. Call the Osprey Centre 01479 831476, or RSPB Abernethy Forest Reserve office 01479 821409.
Aberfoyle. Open from March. Call 0845 367 3787 or the David Marshall Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, 01877 382258.
Glentress and Kailzie Gardens. Open from the end of May to the end of August. Call 0845 367 3787.
Loch of the Lowes. Open from April to the end of August. Call 01350 727337.
Rutland Water Nature Reserve. Open daily from Easter to the end of October, weekends/bank holidays only between November and Easter. Call 01572 770651.
Lake District. Visitor centre open from April to September. Call 01768 778469.
North Wales. Open early April to early September. Call 01248 363800.
Many of these sites have live webcams – so even if you can’t visit in person, you can see Ospreys over the net.
World-renowned ornithologist Roy Dennis is the man behind the work of the Highland Foundation for Wildlife. Read on...
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is set to feature in a major
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How protected are Ospreys? What more can we do to ensure they’re safe from persecution? Read on...