The following is correct to the best of our knowledge, please let us know of any factual errors.

Where to start, 2024 has been a season of significant ups and downs, successes and failures, a normal Osprey season. The weather has had huge effect on this season, particularly in Scotland and the North of England. The first individual Bird to return at a monitored nest was Blue NC0 at Loch of the Lowes on 08/03/24, The First Pair to Reunite were Blue 33 and Maya at Manton Bay on 13th March. The First egg of the season was laid at Manton Bay on 30/04/24, The First chick to Hatch was also at Manton Bay on 10/05/24.

SCOTLAND

LOCH GARTEN

A difficult Season at Loch Garten, both of last years Birds returned Unringed Brodie on 06/04/24 and Unringed Asha on 07/04/24, they successfully paired and laid 3 eggs on the 21st, 24th and 27th April respectively, then last years nest intruder arrived Blue KL5 and what followed was several days of battles for nest dominance, which resulted in KL5 removing the Eggs from the nest on 05/05/24 and in doing so gaining dominance on the nest. Over a period of Time Asha and KL5 appeared to pair up, but much to late for a second brood, Brodie also put in several appearences over time.

Blue KL5 (Hatched Loch Ness 2020)

LOCH of the LOWES

The Season started well with the return of both the established birds. The Female Blue NC0 (Darvic Ring Lost) returned on 08/03/24 and unringed Laddie (LM12) on 27/03/24, three eggs were laid on 17th, 20th and 23rd of April respectively. Laddie (LM12) was last seen on 28/04/24, after 5 days Blue NC0 had to start fishing for herself. On 04/05/24 Police appealed for information after the remains of an Osprey were found in the vacinity ( later information being that Laddie (LM12) died of natural causes DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES. On 07/05/24 a couple of unringed males have been seen in the area, on this day one of them did some Nest Cupping and cleared out the eggs, which had been abandoned as NC0 who had to look after herself and defend the nest. Over the remainder of the summer NC0 appears to have paired with an unringed male who is being Called the Dark Intruder. Blue NC0 last seen 13/08/24 and the Dark Male on 15th August.

Blue NC0, hatched Near Loch Ness in 2016.

ALYTH

Alyth Osprey Summary 2024 Since at least 2022, a pair of ospreys—Blue HK0 (Flora) and an unringed male (Harry)—have nested at Alyth, although their residency may have started earlier. Their names were chosen by local schoolchildren from Meigle. Flora returned to the nest on March 28th at 17:19, with Harry following the next day at 14:40. Upon their return, the ospreys had to contend with unusually wet and inclement weather, as the summer started wetter than normal. Additionally, the nest had been severely damaged by Storm Babet in October of the previous year, but the pair quickly began rebuilding the remnants into a new nest. Three eggs were laid on April 15th, 18th, and 21st. By May 21st, Flora was seen listening to the eggs, and faint noises were heard, signaling the imminent arrival of chicks. The first chick likely hatched on May 22nd, spotted at 04:05, though the deep nest bowl made visibility difficult. A second chick emerged on May 23rd, and by May 26th, all three chicks were visible. Harry diligently provided fish, while both parents took excellent care of their young. Unfortunately, there were frequent camera outages, starting on May 30th. When the feed resumed on May 31st, a tragic scene unfolded as Flora was seen removing a deceased chick from the nest at 04:28. The chick appeared surprisingly large, but it’s unclear which of the three it was. On June 5th, only two chicks remained, and further camera disruptions made it challenging to keep track. When the feed briefly returned on June 15th, only one chick was left. Based on its fledge date of July 26th, it is believed this was the third chick that had survived. Despite the setbacks, Flora and Harry continued to excel as parents, providing nourishment and fiercely defending their nest from intruders. By July 14th, the remaining chick began to show independence, attempting to self-feed and displaying frustration when Flora intervened. On July 20th, it successfully ate its first fish tail, and by July 23rd, the chick was performing its first “helicopter” flights. The big moment came on July 26th. At 08:07, the chick left the nest for the first time, flying to the nearby camera pole—technically not a full-fledged flight, but certainly an adventure. Later that morning, at 10:52, the chick completed its first proper fledge, soaring around the area before returning to the camera post. Upon Harry’s arrival with a fish, the chick confidently landed back on the nest, ate the fish, and even practiced hovering with it, showing impressive progress. With its newfound flying skills, the juvenile began spending more time away from the nest, only returning for meals or to help defend it alongside its parents. By July 30th, it no longer slept at the nest, and the following day, both Flora and the chick briefly flew off when nearby farming activity disturbed them. Intruder activity increased in early August, disrupting fish deliveries, but Harry ensured an evening meal on August 3rd. The chick, now more assertive, won a tug-of-war with Flora over the fish. As August progressed, the ospreys spent less time at the nest, returning only for food or to ward off intruders. Competition between Flora and the chick for fish deliveries intensified, with the juvenile growing stronger by the day. On August 10th, the chick made a significant milestone by flying with its fish. By August 11th, for the first time, neither Flora nor the juvenile were present to receive a fish from Harry. On August 12th, the camera went offline, but we knew both had been fed that day. The feed remained down until August 22nd, during which time two ospreys were observed nearby on August 15th by a local person who visited the nest from the roadside. When the camera resumed on August 22nd, only Harry was seen, continuing to bring fish to the nest, though Flora and the juvenile had likely departed. Harry’s last sighting was on August 26th at 05:52. On August 30th, an unringed osprey briefly landed on the nest, but it was not believed to be Harry. It has been a privilege to witness Flora and Harry raise their young this season. We hope for their safe migration and eagerly await their return next year. Perhaps, one day, this juvenile will return to Alyth, though it may be seen as an intruder, as the chicks are not ringed. It’s even possible that some of this year’s intruders were past Alyth fledglings returning.

RB/LA

LOCH ARKAIG NEST 1

The main players at nest 1 during 2024 were LV0 Garry, & 152 Affric, but no chicks fledged from here. 

LV0 was first seen at Loch Arkaig in 2022 when he intruded at nest 2. He has continued to return since then & has appeared to make nest 1 his own. Unfortunately he’s not yet attracted a mate. A couple of unringed females did appear on the nest during this season but no partnerships were formed.

As in previous seasons 152  spent time with LV0 during the latter part of the season & they were seen together regularly at nest 1 & LV0 provided fish for her on several occasions.

Sightings continued at nest 1 until the 17th August for 152, & 22nd August for LV0.

MC/LB

LOCH ARKAIG NEST 2

The 2024 season began at Loch Arkaig with the arrival of Louis, the breeding male since 2017, to nest 2, at 15.18 on 28th March. He soon began to work on the nest bringing in nest materials & scraping the egg cup. He didn’t have to wait too long to see his partner Dorcha, with whom he’s bred since 2021, as she arrived at nest 2 at 14.21 on  

30th March.They were both seen together for the first time on the nest at 16.13.

The first egg was laid at 11.13 on 14th April, followed by a second at 05.55 on the 17th, & a third on the 20th at 02.26.
Dorcha’s night time incubation period of the eggs was subjected to several tawny owl attacks but she was resilient, she protected the eggs & no harm was done.
The first 2 eggs hatched on the same day, 22nd May, at 06.16 & 22.26, and the 3rd on the 24th at 16.36.

May passed without any major incidents & the weather was quite settled, Louis provided a steady flow of fish to the nest.

Moving into June the weather turned more unsettled but initially there were some good weather days & Louis continued to provide sufficient fish. As the chicks were growing one of the older chicks started to assert its dominance & was regularly the first to be fed after pecking the other 2 into submission. At some feeds it was the only one to eat.
On14th June, by 13.48, Louis had delivered 3 fish to the nest but no more were delivered after this. The dominant chick continued to deprive the other 2 of food. The following day, 15th June, only one fish was delivered. On the 16th a fish was delivered first thing, & 2 more during the morning. The youngest chick however, who had become too weak through lack of food, & exposure to the poor weather conditions, during the previous 24 hours, died later on that day.

During the following days the weather continued to be unsettled, with rain & strong winds. Louis did supply fish but some were barely big enough to feed the chicks & Dorcha. The sibling rivalry continued.

At 08.51 on 21st June Dorcha left the nest with the body of the dead chick, she returned 

7 minutes later.
Over the next few days an average of 4 fish a day were delivered to the nest.

On 26th June Louis delivered a small headless fish just before lunchtime. He didn’t return to the nest that day. Liz Bracken, from her personal observations, noted at 22.07, that Louis had perched in the same tree he’d flown to after delivering the lunchtime fish, & this was despite Dorcha continually fish calling during this time. The weather conditions were poor for a large part of the day.

Louis was not seen on the nest on 27th June. The weather, again, was atrocious. Dorcha raised the hopes of the followers when, after leaving the nest, she returned at 15.14 with an eel.

28th June Louis continued to be absent. 

Although the Woodland Trust have always maintained a stance of non intervention, as the chicks would definitely struggle to survive if Louis didn’t return, they sought advice from osprey experts on the best way to proceed. A decision was made to commence supplementary feeding with fish being placed on the nest. There was also an opportunity that should Louis not return, the chicks could be placed in a translocation programme, established in 2023, which moves birds from Scotland to Valencia, Spain.

29th June Louis returned, much to the followers delight, he delivered half a fish at 08.26. There was only one other fish that day & that was half a small one at 19.56. The submissive chick got virtually nothing. Rain again.

30th June more supplementary feeding to the nest. Louis delivered a fish at 09.36 but no more during the day. Liz noted from her personal observations that Louis had remained perched beside the nest on the lookout tree for nearly 8 hours before flying off around 6pm and didn’t return again that evening.

1st July, Dorcha had chosen the early hours to be the first night she left the chicks alone on the nest. 

At 04.53 Louis delivered a very small fish. He hadn’t eaten any of it and had an empty crop. Dorcha gently took it from him without any calling at all and half heartedly fed the chicks with a little before leaving it on the nest. 

Following Louis’ inconsistent fish deliveries, & his unusual behaviour, the decision was made by the Woodland Trust, following expert advice, which included that from the 

Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, that the 2 chicks would be removed from the nest on this day.

The livestream was switched off at 10.15 whilst the chicks were removed. 

They were transported to a specialist site in Inverness to be processed/checked over in readiness for their trip to Spain.

In the following days Louis continued to cause some concern for the followers, as he didn’t display the bonding behaviour one would expect to see from an established pair who had lost chicks. His fish supply to Dorcha was very sporadic & she shouted at him incessantly when they were together on the nest.

10th July the chicks were flown to Madrid & then onto their new, pre migration home the Pego Oliva Marsh.
The chicks were ringed in Spain on 11th July, 1JW & 1JR, both thought to be male.

Sadly 1JR died on 23rd July due to what was thought to be an underlying health condition. 
15th July was the last day that Louis delivered a fish to Dorcha on the nest.

21st July was the final time that Louis & Dorcha were seen together at nest 2.

They were seen individually over the next few days, & Dorcha made several visits to nest 1. The last time that Dorcha was seen in the Loch Arkaig area was at nest 1 on 27th July at 11.19, & Louis at nest 2 on 30th July at 13.31.

MC & LB

LOCH ARKAIG BURNAKAIG NEST

152 Affric is the breeding female at the Bunarkaig nest which is situated several miles to the east of Loch Arkaig on the shores of Loch Lochy. Her breeding partner is an unringed bird, Prince. They produced one chick this season, a male, 7P6. 

MC/LB

LOCH ARKAIG WEST END NEST

It is reported that 2 Female chicks were raised at this nest this season, No other information is currently available

BALGAVIES LOCH

The Established pair returned, Unringed Mrs BF on 29/03/24 and Male Blue KR3 (Hatched in the Perthshire area in 2016) on 03/04/24. They raised 2 chicks to Fledging both thought to be Males Ringed 1L0 and 1L1.

Blue YD a chick from 2012, who bred in the area last year failed to breed this season.

THE following is from THE BALGAVIES FACEBOOK GROUP

Here is all the info of the adult & juvie ospreys from Balgavies going back to 2012. I like to update this each year as there are always new folk joining the site. Cheers, Darren. ( Blue YD ringed in 2012 then 2022 was the next time a juvie was ringed )

2012 1 chick Blue YD ,Male Green BF, Female White UF

2013 3 chicks ,Male Green BF, Female White UF

2014 2 chicks ,Male Green BF, Female White UF

2015 1 chick ,Male Green BF, Female White UF

2016 4 chicks ,Male Green BF, Female White UF

2017 3 chicks ,Male Green BF, Female Unringed,(Mrs BF)

2018 2 chicks ,Male Green BF, Female Unringed,(Mrs BF)

2019 0 ,Male KR3, Female Unringed,(Mrs BF)

2020 0 ,Male KR3, Female Unringed,(Mrs BF)

2021 3 chicks ,Male KR3, Female Unringed,(Mrs BF)

2022 1 chick Blue / White 640, Male KR3, Female Unringed,(Mrs BF)

2023 3 chicks Blue / White 718 1E1 648,Male KR3 Female Unringed,(Mrs BF)

2024 2 chicks Blue / White 1L0 1L1,Male KR3 (Unringed), Female Unringed,(Mrs BF)

TWEED VALLEY

2024 Tweed Valley Osprey Project year summary.

This year a total of 18 osprey sites were monitored across the Tweed Valley Osprey Project area in the Scottish Borders and a total of 31 osprey chicks have successfully fledged from 14 of those sites.

Five of the sites were not visited to ring the chicks for safety reasons or inaccessibility but were still monitored and fledged birds were recorded. A total of 17 osprey sites were occupied which includes one new nest site. Two nest sites failed at the egg stage with one adult pair moving to a new site after failure. One site was abandoned.

Nine nest sites were visited where chicks were fitted with BTO rings and Darvic rings and the ring numbers issued this year for TVOP were 6J0-9, 7J0-9, 8J0 and 8J1.

Below is a selection of photos taken by volunteers and TVOP team FLS for the project at ringing time while visiting under the BTO Licence with the Environment Team from Forestry and Land Scotland while they carried out the ringing procedure.

Copyright, the Above taken from the Tweed Valley Osprey Project Facebook Page

THREAVE CASTLE

Another Nest where the established pair returned, Th Male Black 80 (Hatched Glaslyn 2006, Parents were Orange 11(98) and Unringed Mrs G) arrived on 22/03/24, Female Blue KC (Hatched Stirlingshire 2009 one of a Brood of Four) arived 26/03/24. It was thought that 3 eggs were laid, however, they raised 1 chick to fledging a Male ringed Blue 4B9 on the 28/06/24. This Years chick is Black 80 43rd chick raised to fledging just 1 less than his legendary Mother Mrs G.

A second occupied nest has been established at Threave in 2024, below is the report of when it was built, Taken from the Threave castle Facebook post,

BORDER OSPREYS

The season started poorly when the Female from previous years failed to return. Unringed Samson returned on 09/04/24, he was joined on the 16/04/24 by a new Female Blue 500 (Hatched Near Errogie, Inverness-Shire 2020) Blue 500 was Named Augusta. 3 eggs were laid, however, due to bad weather and poor fishing condition the female was forced to leave the eggs for periods whilst she tended to her own needs, Eventually the nest was abandonded by the female as the eggs were unviable.

BORDER OSPREYS

WALES

LLYN BRENIG

Some changing of the guard at Brenig this year, when the female from the previous 3 seasons, Blue LM6, failed to return. Blue LJ2, the established Male (Hatched South Argyll 2018) arrived at the nest on 31/03/24. Blue 372 (hatched Scotland, Translocated to Poole Harbour in 2021), was first seen back in the UK on 31/03/24, however, from 06/04/24 she established herself at the Brenig nest, laying three eggs on 23rd, 26th and 29th April. 

During the incubation period, there was a dramatic and lengthy intrusion on 9th May by a young female, Blue 432/Eshells from Kielder Nest 6 (parents Blue W6, hatched in 2016 at the Friends of the Ospreys BM/Snowdonia nest (ON4), and an unringed female) who repeatedly dive-bombed the nest from early evening. Both Blue LJ2 and Blue 372 eventually were forced to leave the nest to defend for around 5 hours, although they both eventually succeeded in driving the intruder off and returned to continue incubation late in the evening. Fortunately the temperatures were not too low when the eggs were uncovered, and two eggs subsequently hatched on 2nd June and 4th June. The first egg did not hatch, and it is not known whether this is related to the intrusion or other factors. The chicks were ringed Blue 8B9 Female named Bethan (the elder chick) and 8B8 Male named Emrys. 8B9 Bethan fledged on 27th July and 8B8 Emrys on 28th July.

It was particularly interesting to watch the behaviour of a first time breeding female at Llyn Brenig this year and her reactions to her first egg and chick were priceless – she didn’t seem to know what to do with either at first, but she soon learnt how to incubate the eggs and feed and brood her chicks. However she showed some interesting and unusual behaviour in that she fished for herself and Blue LJ2 when incubating, and after the chicks fledged, she was bringing a large number of fish to the nest.

During the 2024 season, two other birds hatched at Llyn Brenig were seen in Wales: Blue KA5 Roli (hatched 2019, parents Blue HR7 and Blue 24) was seen intruding at several nests during the season, and in May Blue KA9 Gelert (hatched 2021, parents Blue LJ2 and Blue LM6) intruded at his natal nest and was later seen at Dyfi.

CW/JK

DYFI

Resident breeding pair Unringed Idris and Blue 3J Telyn both returned in March 20r24, Idris on 30/03/24 and 3J Telyn on 25/03/24. Three eggs were laid on 12th, 15th and 18th April. Three chicks hatched on 21st May, 22nd May and 24th May. In a generally quiet and uneventful season, all three chicks thrived and Idris brought in many very large fish, as usual. 

On 24/06/24 the chicks were ringed and given names: Chick 1 Female, Named Gwenlais, ringed 6B1. Chick 2 Female, Named Coron, ringed 6B2 and chick 3 Male, Named Senni and ringed 6B3. This was a record breaking brood: Coron (6B2) was the heaviest chick at ringing recorded so far at the Dyfi nest at 2005g, and Gwenlais (6B1) the second heaviest at 1935g. 

Senni (6B3) was the first to fledge at 51 days, on 14th July, followed by Gwenlais (6B1)  on the same day at 54 days. Coron (6B2) fledged on 15th July at just under 54 days. Senni (6B3) was also the first chick to leave on migration,  last seen on 16th August.

Towards the end of the season, Coron (6B2) became dominant but then spent several days away from the nest before returning. Following this disappearance, Coron (6B2) was not tolerated well at the nest and left on migration earlier than Gwenlais (6B1). All the birds had left by 2nd September.

A highlight of the Dyfi season was the return to Wales of Teifi (Blue KC6, 2020) from Idris and Blue 3J Telyn’s first brood. He had been seen in Spain in May 2022, but had not been seen since in the UK or Wales. He intruded at the Glaslyn nest for the first time on 28th July and was seen on the nest several times afterwards in July and August. He is the first of Idris’ offspring known to have returned to the UK.

CW/JK

DYFI OSPREY PROJECT

GLASLYN

Last year’s pairing of Unringed Aran and Unringed Elen returned on 26/03/24 and 30/03/24 respectively, however after returning on the 26th Elen went missing from the nest from the 27th until the 4th of April. During this time, Aran started to bond with Blue 372, a three year old translocated female from the Poole project. Elen returned to the nest on 4th April and swiftly moved Blue 372 on (after which she became the breeding female at Llyn Brenig, when Blue LM6 failed to return). 

Three eggs were laid on 22nd, 25th and 28th April, and three chicks hatched on 28th May, 30th May and 2nd June. The chicks were ringed on 02/07/24, Chick 1, Female, Ringed Blue 6M8, Chick 2, Female, Ringed Blue 6M7 and Chick 3, Male, Ringed 6M9. All three successfully fledged, 6M8 on 21st July and the two others both on 24th July. Unfortunately the end of the season was difficult to follow after a power cable to the nest cameras was accidentally cut on 31st August, but it is thought that Elen, Aran and all the chicks had left by 6th September.

A highlight of the Glaslyn season was the return to Wales of two chicks from Mrs G’s final brood of three chicks in 2022 – Blue 498, who landed on the Glaslyn nest on 1st May, and Blue 497 who intruded at both Dyfi and Usk Valley during the season.

CW/JK

GLASLYN OSPREY PROJECT

LLYN CLYWEDOG

Established pairing of Unringed Dylan and Blue 5F Seren both returned again this season, Dylan on 28/03/24 and 5F Seren (Hatched Rutland Water Site K in 2015, parents were Red 08(01) and Yellow 30(05)) earlier on the the same day, when the nest was covered in snow! Three eggs were laid on 13th, 16th and 19th April, all of which hatched on 20th May, overnight on 21st/22nd May and 24th May. They raised 3 male chicks that were ringed on 20/06/24 with Blue 8B3, 8B4 and 8B5. Blue 8B3 fledged on 12th July, Blue 8B4 on 13th July and Blue 8B5 on 14th July.

A number of Llyn Clywedog hatched birds were seen in Wales in 2024, including Blue 496 (2021, parents Unringed Dylan and Blue 5F Seren) who was seen nest building at the Usk Valley nest early in the season before being evicted by the returning unringed male; and Blue 555 (2022, parents Unringed Dylan and Blue 5F Seren) who intruded at the Dyfi nest in May. Three birds from the Clywedog nest were confirmed to have bred successfully in 2024 (see individual nest summaries for details): Blue KA6 (female, 2019, parents Unringed Dylan and Unringed Delyth) in the West Midlands; Blue KA7 (male, 2019, brood brother to KA6), in mid-Wales, and Blue 550 (male, 2020, parents Unringed Dylan and Blue 5F Seren) who also bred in mid-Wales.

CW/JK

LLYN CLYWEDOG NEST 2

The unringed male and Blue Z5 returned on 6th and 7th April respectively, Blue Z5 (Hatched 2020 on the Friends of the Ospreys BM/Snowdonia nest, also known as ON4; Parents are Blue Z1 Tegid (hatched Dyfi 2016) and an unringed female). The nest is not live streamed but is reported on publicly and monitored by a trail cam which cannot see into the nest but enabled updates to be given throughout the season. The first egg was laid on 23rd April, and two chicks hatched around 31st May, as confirmed by observations of feeding behaviour on the trail cam. They were ringed on 05/07/24 Blue 8B6 Male and Blue 8B7 Female. Blue 8B6 was seen briefly intruding on the main Clywedog camera nest on 13th August. All birds are thought to have left by early September but as yet leaving dates are not confirmed.

An unusual intrusion occurred on 9th April, when the breeding female from a private nest run by Friends of the Ospreys near Glaslyn, Blue 019 (a female translocated from Scotland to Poole Harbour in 2019) landed on the nest. Blue 019 had been seen at her own nest prior to her intrusion at Clywedog, and was reported to be back at her nest later in the season. It is not known as to what made her fly south to Clywedog on that date.

CW/JK

USK VALLEY

The pair that went on to eatablish a bond and occupy the nest throughout the Summer, (in fact not leaving until 08/09/24), arrived, Male 07/04/24, Female 29/04/24, both are Unringed. They have spent many hours building the nest, The male has supplied fish to the female daily, She has certainly perfected the art of Food demanding. The Female has shown a very strong bond to the the Nest through some fierce Nest Defence, whilst the Male has also. been seen escorting intruders away from the nest. There have been several incidents of Unringed intruders and 10 Ringed intruders, some on multiple occassions. Other Visitors to the nest have been 31 different varieties of Birds, whilst a further 24 different varieties have been observed near the nest through Field Observations. There have also been regular visits to the nest from a Grey Squirrel. Although no Eggs were laid this year, all the signs were positive indicators for a successful season in 2025.

USK VALLEY OSPREYS

MID WALES

This is a new nest this Year, Adults are Blue KA7 (Hatched Llyn Clywedog 2019, parents are Unringed Dylan and Unringed Delyth) and Blue 469 (Hatched at a private Nest in Lancashire 2021 Parents being Blue 0A and Blue 3AX), they produced 2 Chicks this year to Fledging, Ringed Blue 7M1 and 8B0, both thought to be Male. Blue 469 is a descendant of two famous osprey matriarchs, the original Glaslyn female Mrs G (via her son White YC, father of Blue 0A) and Manton Bay’s Maya (via her son Blue 30(10), father of Blue 3AX). Blue 469 is also thought to be the first descendant of Mrs G known to have bred in Wales.

CW/JK

MID WALES (2)

Another new nest on private land in mid Wales was reported this year. It has adults Blue 550 (Hatched Llyn Clywedog 2020, parents Unringed Dylan and Blue 5F/Seren) and a ringed but as yet unidentified female. Two chicks successfully fledged but were not ringed (nest is inaccessible).

CW

PEMBROKESHIRE

A new osprey project in Pembrokeshire reported that a young male bird, Blue KC1 (hatched 2019 at the Friends of the Ospreys BM/Snowdonia nest (ON4), parents both unringed), had been nest building on one of its artificial platforms on the Cleddau in April and May. However, whilst an unringed female did spend some time on the nest, she did not stay long and there was no breeding at this nest in 2024. Blue KC1 was not seen on the nest after late May and there were no further updates after June 4th. It is not known whether he returned later in the year or whether the nest was occupied by any other birds during the season.

CW

PRIVATE NESTS (FoTo)

PLEASE NOTE I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY WELSH OSPREY, DARREN, WHO SAYS THE INFORMATION BELOW IS INCORRECT AND CAN I REMOVE IT FROM THE BLOG. I HAVE REPLIED SAYING I WILL ADD THIS STATEMENT.

Very little information available publicly, the following information has been reported publicly on Social Media and Livestream Chat forums.

PC NEST

This nest is visible from the visitor centre at Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn Wildlife (BGGW). It is managed by Friends of the Ospreys and they do not make information about it public, but BGGW occasionally give updates on their public social media channels. This report is compiled from these updates. 

The previous year’s pairing of Blue Z2 Aeron (hatched Dyfi 2017, parents Unringed Monty and Blue 12 Glesni) and Blue 014 (a female translocated to Poole Harbour from Scotland in 2018), were both reported to have returned by BGGW on 29/03/24. They produced one chick this year to fledging, which was ringed on 02/07/24, ring number Blue 5M0 Male. It is unknown how many eggs were laid or when the chick hatched. 

Note: ringing details at this nest are usually not made public, but this year, due to the historic nature of the ringing, full details were released by BGGW: the chick was ringed by Emmanuel Jatta, who became the first Gambian to have ringed an osprey in the United Kingdom. He was in the UK on a secondment from Kartong Bird Observatory, during which he spent several months at various osprey projects in England, Scotland and Wales. 

Blue 014 was reported to have left on migration on 14th July by BGGW, Aeron Z2 and Blue 5M0 were reported on livestream chat still to be present at the beginning of September, but last seen dates are currently unknown.

JK/CW

RG Nest

Once again believed to be same pair as the Previous year, Z1 Tegid (Hatched Dyfi 2016, Parents unringed Monty and Blue 12 Glesni) and an unringed female. Z1 Tegid returned 30/03/24 and his Unringed Partner on the 26/03/24. They are reported to have reared 2 chicks to fledging 1 Male and 1 Female, no other information has been made public. This pair moved to the RG Nest in 2022, previously sited at the Snowdonia/BM Nest (ON4).

JK

Fron Nest

The same pair have been reported to have returned Blue KS6 Dinas (Hatched Dyfi 2018, parents Unringed Monty and Blue 3J Telyn) and Blue 019 (Translocated to Poole harbour 2019 from a nest near Forres in Scotland), both are reported to have returned 05/04/24. They raised 3 chicks to fledging 1 Female and 2 Males, no other information has been made public.

Blue KS6 Dinas was reported on live stream chat still to be at his nest with two chicks on 13/09/2024, the last date any chicks were seen, and was possibly seen perched in a distant tree on the live stream on Monday 16th September, although no ring could be read to confirm.

JK/CW

CW Nest

It is believed that this nest was not used for breeding this year. 

Footnote.

At least 3 of these private nests are populated by descendants of the Monty Dynasty, great credit to Dyfi Osprey Project, it is such a shame that more information is not made publicly available from what are successful nests. 

JK

ENGLAND

KIELDER FOREST

NEST 1

No Breeding this Year

NEST 2

Occupied by an Unringed Male and Blue PC8 (Hatched 2017 at Loch Ard Near Aberfoyle), 2 chicks were raised to fledging, neither chick was Ringed (nest not safe to climb in 2024).

NEST 3

Nest Unoccupied/unused

NEST 4

Occupied by Blue 69 (Hatched Near Loch Lomond in 2011) and an Unringed Female, 3 eggs were hatched, 2 chicks were lost off the nest in extremely high winds and the thirds chick died on the nest.

About two weeks after the nest failed, Blue 69 was not seen again at nest 4, and another male, Blue Y1 (hatched 2016 at Kielder 1a, parents White YA and Unringed KF13/Mrs YA), who formerly occupied Nest 8, was seen bonding with the unringed female until the end of the season.

NEST 5A

Occupied by Blue UV (Hatched Kielder Forest Nest 1 in 2014, parents White YA and an Unringed Female) and an unringed Female, 3 chicks, all 3 perished in June most likely to the very poor weather conditions. 

NEST 6

Occupied by Blue W6 (Hatched Friends of the Osprey BM/Snowdonia nest, also known as ON4, in 2014, Parents were both Unringed) and an unringed Female KF13 (formerly known as Mrs YA), Again 3 chicks hatched, but all perished in June, again thought to be down the poor weather conditions

NEST 7

Occupied by Unringed Male KM18 and Blue KX7 (Hatched Tain, Easter-Ross 2017) This pair managed to raise 3 chicks to fledging, the chicks were ringed on 02/07/24, Ring Numbers and names Blue 3B0/Harbottle, 3B1/Hallington both Females and Blue 3B2/Hawk-hope Male. Nest 7 is the most southerly of the Kielder Nests and may have missed out on the bad weather.

NEST 8

This nest was occupied by Blue Y1 at the start of the season, but he did not attract a mate in 2024. After Blue Y1 moved to Nest 4, a Scandinavian ringed male which has previously intruded at Kielder has been nest building, but it was too late to attract a female and breed 2024.

NEST 9

Nest 9 is outside the Kielder Forest Boundary, But within the Ringing area. it is understood that 3 Chicks successfully fledged this year

NEST 10

Occupied by Blue PY0 (Hatched Border Ospreys 2017, parents being Unringed Samson and Unringed Delilah) and Blue 330 (Hatched in the Tweed Valley 2019, Parents being BTO ringed Oscar and Blue FS2). 3 chicks hatched but only 2 survived to fledge (1 succumbed to bad weather). The chicks were not ringed (nest is inaccessible).

NEST 11

A new nest for 2024, Occupied by an Unringed Pair, Chicks were seen initially, however the chicks perished in the poor weather

/https://kielderospreys.wpcomstaging.com/

BOLTON CASTLE

The same pair as last year returned Unringed Male on 02/04/24 and Blue KS1 (Hatched Glaslyn 2018, Parents Unringed Aran and Unringed Mrs G) arrived on 12/04/24. 3 Chicks raised this year Chicks Ringed Blue 6K4, 6K5 and 6K6, Gender has not been disclosed.

LAKE DISTRICT

FOULSHAW MOSS

Established Pair again this year, White YW (Hatched Bassenthwaite 2008, parents were both unringed, known as Mr Noring and Mrs Noring) and Blue 35 (Splash) ( Hatched Kielder Forest Nest 1 2010, parents both unringed known as KM1 and KF1. WHITE YW returned 24/03/24 and Blue 35 on the 28/03/24. Raised 2 Chicks to fledging this year, Both Males Ringed Blue 0C5 and 0C6 This is the 11th year this pair have bred at Foulshaw Moss raising 29 chicks at an average of 2.63 Chicks/ annum

SEASON SUMMARY

BASSENTHWAITE

Very little information available, it has been reported that 2 chicks were raised this year. These Chicks were not ringed.

ESTHWAITE

Established pair returned this year, Blue 7A (Hatched Foulshaw Moss 2014, Parents are White YW and Blue 35) It has been reported that 3 Chicks were successfully raised this year, Ringed Blue 0C7, 0C8 and 0C9. There were two males and a female, but it has not been disclosed which chick was ringed with which number.

OTHER NESTS

It has been reported that the Birds at Haybridge and at Roudsea Wood have left, we have no information as to whether or not breeding was successful. Thanks to a post from Ziess Birding we now know that Blue W1 Merin (Hatched Dyfi Osprey Project 2015, parents Unringed Monty and Blue 12 Glesni) and an Unringed partner have raised 2 chicks this season, Ringed Blue 0C3 and 0C4, there was at least 1 other nest identified in that post that had 3 chicks Ringed Blue 0C1, 0C2 and 9C0

There have been reports of up to 12 nests/pairs in the Lake District in the last two or three years, but most of these nests are on private land and do not make any information about breeding pairs, chicks or ring numbers public.

WEST MIDLANDS RESERVIOR

Last year’s pair returned this year. Male Blue 2AM (Hatched Manton Bay 2017, parents are Blue 33 and Unringed Maya) Female KA6 (Hatched Llyn Clywedog 2019, Parents are Unringed Dylan and Unringed Delyth) 3 chicks raised this year, Ringed Blue 4R0, 4R1 and 4R2. Thanks to The West Midlands Ringing Group for this information.

RUTLAND WATER

MANTON BAY

Maya returned on 12/03/24, she is thought to be around 17-18 years of age and has been breeding at Manton Bay since 2010, firstly with Green 5R (2010-2013). She has been paired with Blue 33 (hatched Rutland Water Site B in 2011, parents were White 03(97) and an unringed female) since 2015. She has mothered 38 chicks in that time. Blue 33 returned on 13/03/24 and both birds started to build up the nest prior to egg laying. However, Maya became ill with a possible respiratory infection towards the end of March, but still laid three eggs on 30th March, 2nd and 5th April. Afterwards she subsequently recovered and continued to incubate the eggs. However two eggs were unviable, thought possibly related to her illness: one egg (clearly broken) was removed from the nest by Maya on 5th May, and the other did not hatch. However the third egg hatched on 10th May. 

There was then a dramatic moment on the nest on 15th May when the five day old chick was flipped to the side of the nest by a large live fish, got stuck behind a stick and was unable to get back into the nest cup by itself. Rutland Osprey Project subsequently intervened to rescue the chick and move it back to the nest cup and thankfully afterwards it was unharmed and continued to thrive.

The chick was ringed on 19/06/24 Ring number Blue 1R0 Male. 1R0 fledged on 3rd July, but did not leave on migration until 30th August at 110 days old. 2024 is Maya and Blue 33 10th season together, they have raised 27 chicks since 2015 at an average of 2.7/annum

A 2022 female chick from the Manton Bay nest, Blue 1H1, returned in 2024, being seen at a nest in Germany before returning to the UK and being seen in Poole Harbour. 

A number of Maya’s offspring bred successfully in 2024, including female Blue 3J Telyn (2013, father Green 5R) at Dyfi, male Blue 30(10) (2010, father Green 5R) in the Rutland area (as reported by River Gwash Ospreys) and male Blue 2AM (2017, father Blue 33(11)) in the West Midlands. Male Blue S2 (2015, father Blue 33(11)) was also reported to have bred successfully in the Netherlands, raising three chicks with an unringed female. Blue T7 (2016, father Blue 33(11)) was reported to have had a failed breeding season in the Rutland area by River Gwash Ospreys in 2024.

At the end of the season, Blue 359 (hatched 2021) landed several times on the Manton Bay nest. He is a grandson of Maya, as his father was Blue 8F (hatched Manton Bay 2012, with father Green 5R) and mother a BTO ringed Scottish female hatched near Argyll.

CW/JK

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

OTHER RUTLAND NESTS

Notice Boards at the Lyndon Centre, conversations with Volunteers and and Talks at BirdFair, Indicate that there were 12 pairs at Rutland this year (1 pair failed to breed) who raised 25 chicks, and 12 single birds giving a total of 36 adult Birds in the area. We know that Blue 11(10) (Hatched at Rutland Site N in 2010, Parents White 08(97) and Green 5N(04)) and Blue 25(10) (Hatched Rutland Site O in 2010 parents were Maroon AA Re-Ringed Blue AW and A Female from Argyll with a BTO ring only) raised 3 Chicks ringed on 19/06/24 Blue 1R1, 1R2 and 1R3; all are males. This information was Given out on social Media by George Smith.

POOLE HARBOUR

The resident pair returned again this season, Male Blue 022 (Hatched 2019 at Nest B01 Moray scotland, translocated to Poole Harbour) returned on 25/03/24 and Female CJ7 (Hatched rutland Water Site K in 2015, Parents are Blue 06(09) and Blue 00(09)) on 26/03/24. 2024 season is the 3rd breeding season for this pair. They went on to successfully raise 4 chicks to fledging. The chicks were ringed 01/07/24, the Ring numbers being 5H6, 5R0, 5R1 and 5R2 all were thought to be male.

Last seen dates: Blue 5R1 22/08/24. Blue 5R0 28/08/24. Blue 5H6 30/08/24. Blue CJ7 02/09/24. Blue 5R2 04/09/24 and Blue 022 05/09/24.

POOLE HARBOUR NEST WATCH 2024

IRELAND

TRANSLOCATION

9 Osprey Chicks from Norway were translocated to Ireland on 27/07/24, They were Ringed with White darvic Rings with Black Numerals, 00 to 08 were used this year.

RELEASED INTO THE WILD

NATURAL NESTS

No News to Date of last years Natural Nest. We have asked the Local Wildlife Trust for an update, we are yet to recieve a reply.

New nest this Year. Ulster:- https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/news/ospreys-breed-ireland-first-time-over-200-years?

2 YEAR OLD RETURNING OSPREYS

UKOI would like to thank those individuals who have not only contributed to this blog but also to UKOI throughout the year, without their contibutions, time and support none of it would be possible.

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UKOI