50 osprey chicks to be introduced to Ireland over five years

The programme reintroduces this bird of prey to Ireland so that it becomes a viable, free-ranging population in the wild. Over the next five years, the NPWS plans to reintroduce 50 osprey chicks as part of the programme.
Ospreys are thought to have become extinct as breeding birds in Ireland over 200 years ago but have continued to visit the island as part of their migratory pattern. In recent weeks, a breeding pair of ospreys and their chicks were discovered at a nesting site in Northern Ireland – a momentous first sighting of naturally established, breeding ospreys in over 200 years.
Over the past 16 years, the NPWS has developed considerable knowledge and expertise of the reintroduction of extinct species, including its white-tailed eagle programme which has reintroduced 170 white-tailed eagles to Ireland, some of which are now fledging chicks. This expertise along with international best practice, an ongoing partnership with Norwegian authorities and significant community support, has informed work to reintroduce the osprey.
Ospreys are fish-eating birds of prey that need habitats that are close to rivers, lakes or coastal areas to ensure a sufficient supply of fish. They are known to be monogamous and faithful to both their mate and their nest. Divisional manager, NPWS southwest, Philip Buckley, who heads up the osprey re-introduction programme said: “In preparation for this programme, we drew on significant experience of countries around Europe who have reintroduced the osprey resulting in sizeable breeding populations over time. Identifying a suitable habitat which the birds will return to each year is key, and I would like to thank the farming community in the southeast for their engagement and co-operation.” Similar to the white-tailed eagle reintroduction programme, the chicks are brought from Norway, and cared for at a secure location until they are ready to be released.