Hopes are high that rare ospreys could soon be breeding in Donegal for the first time in more than 200 years.
It follows the discovery of a nest belonging to the magnificent bird in neighbouring County Fermanagh.
A pair of birds have produced at least two, possibly three chicks, after returning to the same site since 2021.
The osprey is a medium-sized bird-of-prey that feeds mostly on fish and is usually found near water.
Head of the Golden Eagle Project Lorcan O’Toole told Donegal Daily that ospreys have already been spotted fishing in Donegal but could soon be nesting here.
He said “It is just brilliant news, that the native ospreys are breeding again in Ireland.
“To have them so close in Fermanagh – adds to a long held wish to see them nesting in Donegal soon.
“We built the first artificial Osprey platforms on Loch Derg and Loch Eske, in 1993 – in the vain hope that migratory ospreys might settle and nest here.
“Now, thirty years later they are breeding in Fermanagh and seen fishing in Donegal, again.
“Ospreys will be a major attraction to the lakelands of the Northwest, over the coming decades.”
The Fermanagh ospreys were discovered by Giles Knight, environmental farming scheme advisor with Ulster Wildlife, who has been observing the breeding pair for the past three seasons.
The majority of UK ospreys migrate to western Africa, more than 3,000 miles away, before returning in the spring.
Ospreys often nest in the same treetop for up to 20 years and are strongly faithful to both nest and mate.
Mr Knight said he had been keeping the news quiet for a long time to ensure the safety and welfare of the birds.
“You can imagine my excitement the moment that I saw three chicks and two adults this year,” he said.
“It was a rub-your-eyes, once-in-a-lifetime moment; an absolute highlight of my 30-year wildlife career – like finding long-lost treasure.
“With at least two of the chicks fledging this season, this is a huge conservation success story and indicates a healthy wetland ecosystem with plenty of suitable habitat and fish to bring this apex predator back to our skies and plunging into the Fermanagh lakelands.”
In May, the Irish government announced plans to reintroduce the bird with between 50 and 70 chicks to be brought from Norway over a five-year period.
It is hoped these chicks will establish a free-ranging population that eventually breeds in Ireland.
Liaison has been ongoing around the undisclosed Fermanagh site and the public has been urged to avoid disturbing the birds.
Mr Knight added: “Now these birds are back in Ireland and breeding successfully, it is critical that they are left in peace so their numbers can continue to grow by returning year on year to breed.
“We believe and hope that this could be the start of a raptor dynasty.”
About Ospreys
- Conservation status: Listed on the Amber List of UK birds of conservation concern because of the long-term population decline and protected at all times under the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985. Under article 27 anyone found to have injured or killed an osprey are ‘Liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both’. Osprey nests are listed on Schedule A1 of the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 and are therefore protected at all times.
- The osprey is a medium-sized raptor. It has a white head with a distinctive brown eyestripe. Both males and females are generally white below and darker (brown) from above.
- Often mistaken in flight for a very large gull or a buzzard but has a characteristic ‘M’ shape flight profile made by bending its wings.
- The osprey is a fish-specialist, rarely eating anything else. It is usually found near water, including freshwater inland rivers and loughs as well as coastal estuaries and shorelines.
- Its nest, called an eyrie, is generally built on the top of a large tree, usually a conifer, but deciduous trees are also used. In parts of their range, ospreys may nest on cliff ledges, man-made platforms and even on the ground.
- Ospreys often nest in the same treetop eyrie for up to 20 years and are largely monogamous and strongly faithful to both nest and mate.