The Poole Harbour Osprey Translocation Project was set up to restore a breeding population of the charismatic bird of prey to the South Coast, led by Birds of Poole Harbour and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. Ospreys were present throughout the UK over 200 years ago, until they were driven to local extinction through persecution and egg collecting. Fortunately, they naturally recolonised Scotland in the mid-1900s, but help has been needed to bring them back to England and Wales. Following the success of a reintroduction project in Rutland in 1996, which has since led to the colonisation of Wales, the Ospreys have had a helping hand in spreading their population once again through this reintroduction project in Poole Harbour.

As a result of the project, we now have 2 pairs of Osprey breeding in the south of England, with pair CJ7 and 022, raising young for the first time in 2022. We are now patiently awaiting their return in 2026 and with so many Ospreys returning each year (4 chicks are due back next year) we will hopefully see more pairs setting up in the near future.

With this in mind, while the Ospreys are away in West Africa for the winter, we are planning for the 2026 season! We have lots of tree climbing to do to maintain the ~10 nest platforms we currently have set up in Poole Harbour along with the remote cameras and live webcams. We're also planning to install new nest platforms this season in the hopes that more pairs will set up soon. Fingers crossed we may have 3 pairs in 2026!

The project started in 2017 and we have been working hard to ensure the success of the reintroduction, as well as enthusing the public about these birds, ever since. Funding project work, including the installing and maintenance of artificial nests, motion-sensitive cameras, engagement events, and the livestream webcams, however, doesn't come cheap! This campaign provides the opportunity to donate towards our Osprey Project developments and covering these costs. If you would prefer to become a regular supporter of the Osprey project, you can do so here.

Thank you for your support!

The BoPH Team

Please note that for the time being it will not be possible to install a 2nd Live Webcamera on Nest 2 because of the feasibility of installing the technology and landowner permission. We will of course share any interesting footage we receive from the remote cameras via our website and social media.