Welcome to this guest blog post from Birds of Poole Harbour (BOPH). We are excited to share some insights about the 2025 Osprey Season. 

Why is Poole Harbour an important habitat for Ospreys?

Ospreys are migratory birds that travel long distances during their annual migration. Poole Harbour provides Ospreys with a rich source of food and the Carey Estate provides a safe nesting place for breeding pair CJ7 and 022. The sheltered waters and abundant fish populations make Poole Harbour an ideal habitat for Ospreys to fish and feed their young.

What conservation efforts are in place to protect the Ospreys?

As part of BOPH's ongoing conservation efforts, they have implemented various measures to protect the Ospreys and their nest site on the Careys Estate. These include 24hr monitoring of the nest site, raising awareness about the importance of preserving the Osprey population, and working with local authorities to enforce regulations that safeguard the birds and their environment. Through these collective efforts, we aim to ensure a sustainable future for the Ospreys in and around Poole Harbour.

How can birdwatchers contribute to Osprey conservation?

As birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, you can play a crucial role in Osprey conservation by following responsible birdwatching practices. This includes maintaining a safe distance from nest sites, refraining from disturbing the birds, and respecting their natural habitat. By observing these guidelines and spreading awareness about the importance of Osprey conservation, you can help protect these magnificent birds for future generations to enjoy.

Highlights of the 2025 Osprey Season at Careys

Starting in late May 2025, the established Poole Harbour Osprey pair—CJ7 and 022—continued their remarkable breeding success. After their first triumph in 2022, they’ve since produced another seven chicks, and this year welcomed four chicks in a single clutch, an exceptionally rare event (just ~1 % of osprey clutches) Birds of Poole HarbourBBC.

22–29 May: On 22 May, the first chick hatched at 5:30 am, followed by a second later that evening—a synchronised timing thanks to delayed incubation. By late Saturday, the third chick had arrived. On Sunday, male 022 was seen fishing in the Wareham Channel, chased by a Common Buzzard, and displaying sky dancing in response to a Scottish-ringed male osprey (1AO). A Rutland female, 3H9, also visited the Carey nest and another nearby platform. Then, in the early hours of Wednesday, the fourth and final chick hatched Birds of Poole HarbourBBC.

30 May – 6 June: As the chicks grew rapidly, the adults remained vigilant. A white-tailed eagle flew overhead, prompting both parents to react defensively. CJ7 and 022 also warded off a buzzard and a red kite—022 spectacularly displaying sky dancing when dealing with the latter. Despite heavy showers and strong winds mid‑week, female 3H9 continued her regular visits.

7–14 June: The chicks entered their “reptilian” phase, sprouting juvenile feathers and growing fast. CJ7 made a valiant effort to shield them from rain, while 022 delivered fish, including trout and mullet. CJ7 brought nesting materials like grass and twigs. Later, two osprey visitors circled overhead, likely including 3H9. Raptors—Peregrines, buzzards, kestrels—provided excellent viewing for tour visitors.

15–22 June: All four chicks were nearly feathered and growing into mini versions of their parents. Bass dominated their diet. A dramatic chase occurred when CJ7 pursued a Honey Buzzard, and in fantastic news, a second breeding pair—Rutland female 1H1 and Poole male 374—produced two chicks this season, marking only the second such successful southern England breeding pair.

23–30 June: The heat brought increased predator activity—Peregrines, hobbies, kestrels, buzzards, and red kites circled close by. CJ7 even defended against a Honey Buzzard with a hobby overhead. Poor weather delayed feeding at times. The chicks began “helicoptering” (hovering above the nest) in preparation for fledging. Importantly, they were ringed at around five weeks old: the female (5R3, ~1.75 kg) and three males (5R4–5R6, ~1.35–1.45 kg), the latter promising future return as they tend to breed where they were born.

1–8 July: Chicks performed their first helicoptering, and 022 astounded by bringing in two fish at once—one in each talon. The eldest chick (5R3) began feeding herself. An unidentified osprey visited overhead, and CJ7 remained alert across the week, responding to potential threats. On 8 July, male chick 5R5 also began helicoptering.

All four chicks successfully fledged in early to mid-July, which is a remarkable achievement for such a rare four-chick brood. Their first flights remained close to the nest site, as their confidence grew so did their independence, and some of the young birds were spotted practicing hunting in the Poole Harbour area. CJ7 and 022 continued providing fish while encouraging their young to explore. 

During late August and early September, CJ7 departed on migration to Western Africa. The chicks and 022 will individually follow. The young birds will remain in Africa for two winters before hopefully returning in late spring 2027. As for the parent Ospreys, we look forward to late March 2026 when hopefully they will return to the nest site at Carey's Secret Garden.