200 Years Later, This Bird Naturally Returned Here

In Ireland, a pair of ospreys have successfully bred for the first time in 200 years – producing at least two but possibly three chicks.

“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,” says Giles Knight, an environmental farming scheme advisor with Ulster Wildlife.

In the late 18th century, ospreys were “systematically persecuted” in Ireland primarily for taxidermy purposes and for the collection of their eggs. Per the Ireland-based conservation group Golden Eagle Trust’s records, breeding ospreys have not been found in the country since 1779. What is particularly special about this breeding attempt is that it was not the result of any reintroduction initiative; instead, these ospreys returned to Ireland on their own and decided to mate there. “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,” Knight adds of the event.