Published on Friday 02 May 2025
The only pair of breeding Ospreys in southern England have laid four eggs at their nest site near Poole harbour for the second consecutive year.
Ospreys, spectacular birds of prey, typically lay three eggs, so for four to be laid two years on the run is highly unusual.
The species has been extinct in southern England for 180 years but the pair settled at Carey’s Secret Garden near Poole Harbour in 2022.
A reintroduction programme began in Poole Harbour in 2017 with the long-term aim of establishing a breeding population.
The harbour is a rich hotspot for wildlife and bird watching and, in 2023, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council worked with local partners to create a unique Osprey observation point, at our Ham Common nature reserve.
The reserve, which holds a number of rare heathland species, also offers excellent views out across the harbour, where the Ospreys, along with the reintroduced White-tailed Eagles can be observed hunting, the observation point giving that extra vantage.
These four eggs were laid on 13 April, followed by each subsequent eggs laid three days apart, ending with the fourth egg on 22 April.
Hatching is expected to start towards the end of this month. The female, known as CJ7 and the male – 022 - share incubation duties, with males also responsible for hunting to feed the pair during this period.
CJ7 has laid fourth egg for the second year in a row which is unusual as Ospreys’ usually lay three eggs, it would be unprecedented if all four hatch again this year.
Ospreys are classed as Schedule 1 species, which means that they have the highest level of protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Conservation charity Birds of Poole Harbour, partnered with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, have been working on The Poole Harbour Osprey Translocation Project since 2017 with the aim to restore a breeding population of ospreys to the south coast and have seen the successful start of CJ7 and 022 breeding in 2022.
Liv Elwood, Birds of Poole Harbour Manager, said: “The team at Birds of Poole Harbour are delighted to see CJ7 lay four eggs for the second time.
“This nest is so important for the recolonisation of this special species on the south coast, and every chick that fledges from the nest is a reason to celebrate. We can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds."
Public interest in the ospreys has been significant, with live-stream webcams allowing viewers to observe the nesting process.
Birds of Poole Harbour and Careys Secret Garden are offering guided osprey tours to view the nest, with strict measures in place to prevent disturbance to the birds – watch the websites for more information on tickets.
And Paul Morton, founder of Birds of Poole Harbour, was presented with a Poole Mayors Award in April for their outstanding contribution to Poole.