ENCOURAGING SIGNS

A great deal of positive action has occurred over the last week.

With both 2024 birds back since lunchtime on 17th April 2025 the roles expected of each partner have been met fully. The male has stepped up his nest-renovations and has been diligent in bringing in fish for his mate. The female has occupied the nest for long periods and is now taking a greater role in ‘cupping’ and doing the finer renovation.

View of much enlarged nest from a week previously

With return dates earlier than in 2024 breeding is certainly possible this year. Signs are good in recent days as the female has, for the first time, spent the last two full nights on the nest itself or the new perch over the nest. She has had to withstand some wet and windy weather on these nights.

Female withstands adverse weather to remain on the nest overnight

Collection of materials to improve the nest early in the season does not come without risk, though. On Easter Monday the male scooped up soft nest material left by the winter floods, and in doing so a length of electrical cable/insulated wire. Once in the nest-cup it wrapped around a short stick that was repeatedly pushed out to the nest-rim by the birds, but as the birds stood on the loose cable it allowed the stick to roll back in. Ultimately the female had it wrapped around her feet and to attempt to free it she flew up onto the nest-perch – fortunately it was not tightly-wrapped and after she flew back onto the nest most of the cable became free to drop onto the outer rim of the nest. While still present, the cable should now be lost into the nest as further sticks are placed onto and above it. UVO will continue to monitor the situation but sending up a climber to extract it from the nest rim at this critical point in the breeding season could have many consequences.

Nervy male intruder, 22 April 2025

The next day, Tuesday 22nd April, a visiting osprey landed on the nest when it was vacant. The unringed bird, believed to be a male, knew it was an imposter there and was visibly nervous during its 3-4 minute stay. It was not seen after the resident pair returned.  This is the first intruder nest-visit since our birds returned last week although ‘field observers’ have noted up to three additional ospreys in the valley this week.

We await with interest to see what these birds’ second week in occupation might bring.