Human help ‘needed to boost osprey population’

Ospreys will expand into southern Britain much faster if they are given a helping hand from humans, according to researchers.

The recommendation is being made after analysis of figures from a long-term study of ringed ospreys breeding in north-east Scotland, which found they have a strong tendency to return to breed close to where they hatched.

The osprey was driven near to extinction early in the 20th century in Britain as a result of persecution, before returning to Scotland in the 1950s. However, they have been slow to expand to other areas.

For the past 40 years, Roy Dennis of the Highland Foundation for Wildlife has colour-ringed osprey chicks in the Highlands, allowing ecologists to keep tabs on breeding adults.

By comparing the breeding locations of around 100 ospreys, including about 90 in Scotland, researchers from the University of Leicester and the Rutland Osprey Project, working with Mr Dennis, have shown that most ospreys return to breed close to where they hatched.

Tim Mackrill, of the Rutland Osprey Project, who analysed the data, said: “Our analysis of colour-ringed individuals breeding in north-east Scotland and other parts of the UK showed most birds exhibited strong natal philopatry, returning to breed close to the site where they were reared.

“This has resulted in the development of ‘loose colonies’ of 10-20 pairs in distinct geographical areas and made the expansion to new areas slow.”

He added: “This study shows that moving osprey chicks from Scotland is the quickest way to restore the birds to other parts of southern Britain – natural re-colonisation will take much longer.”