Osprey eggs set to hatch for second consecutive year

The only pair of breeding ospreys in southern England have laid four eggs at their nest site for the second year in a row.

Ospreys typically lay three eggs, so for four to be laid two years on the run is highly unusual and it would be "unprecedented" if all four hatch again this year, according to the Birds of Poole Harbour group.

A reintroduction programme began in Poole Harbour, Dorset, in 2017 and in 2022 female CJ7 and male 022 became the first nesting pair of ospreys on the south coast of England in 180 years.

Liv Elwood, Birds of Poole Harbour manager, said: "The team at Birds of Poole Harbour are delighted to see CJ7 lay four eggs for the second time."

Ospreys are classed as Schedule 1 species, which means that they have the highest level of protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

The birds share incubation duties, with males also responsible for hunting to feed the pair during this period.

Hatching is expected to start towards the end of this month.

Ms Elwood said: "This nest is so important for the recolonisation of this special species on the south coast, and every chick that fledges from the nest is a reason to celebrate.

"We can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds."

Interest in the ospreys has been significant, with live-stream webcams allowing viewers to observe the nesting process.

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