Second pair of breeding ospreys 'major milestone'

A second pair of breeding ospreys has been spotted in a "major milestone" for a reintroduction project, a charity has said.

Birds of Poole Harbour said the two ospreys, female 1H1 and male 374, were only the second pair of breeding ospreys in southern England since 1847.

The first pair, female CJ7 and male 022, hatched four chicks in May.

Birds of Poole Harbour said 1H1 and 374 hatched two chicks, one on 3 June and one on 5 June.

"This is another major milestone for the project, and is a real testament to the hard work that goes into reintroduction projects," the charity said.

Male 374 and female 1H1 first encountered one another last year and established a pair bond, the charity said.

Female 1H1 returned in the spring and roamed the local area, visiting many of the nest platforms she and 374 had found the previous summer.

On 5 April, 374 was also spotted in the area, and they found one another again on 6 April. The first egg was laid on 24 April.

The charity said it would not share the location of the nesting site to ensure "the ongoing protection and success" of the new nest.

It added there would be no livestream of "Nest Two", but that important updates would be shared.

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