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Record Osprey Hatchings Exceed Expectations at Reserve
22 Aug
Summary
- Six osprey chicks have hatched, exceeding initial five-chick count.
- Two new nests were discovered, bringing the total to three.
- Osprey populations have slowly recovered after extinction in Britain.
Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve is celebrating a record-breaking osprey breeding season, with six chicks hatching across three nests. This number significantly exceeds the initial report of five chicks from two nests. Nature reserves officer Paul Waterhouse expressed his surprise and delight at discovering the additional nests, stating he never anticipated a third or fourth nest.
The successful hatching of six chicks marks a significant milestone for the reserve and for the recovery of osprey populations in Britain. Ospreys were once extinct across the country, but have experienced a slow resurgence in recent decades. For over a decade, Foulshaw Moss was home to only one long-standing breeding pair, which was considered a privilege. Two years ago, a second pair arrived, and last year they produced their first chick. This year, both pairs have successfully raised two chicks each.
