Man-made platform could encourage ospreys to nest

Ospreys have been recorded annually in Guernsey since 2010, although it is uncertain whether they have bred here.

La Societe Guernesiaise, Guernsey Water and tree surgeons Treevolution banded together to encourage the introduction of successful breeding pairs in the island.

Ospreys were persecuted into extinction in the UK during the 1800s by taxidermists and egg collectors.

According to the RSPB, there are now around 300 nesting pairs in Britain.

Conservationist Vic Froome said they had decided the reservoir was the best spot for the platform because ospreys were recorded eating fish last year at Perelle.

‘From this location, the birds have a wide range to secure food,’ he said.

Treevolution owner Chris Stonebridge helped fix the platform into place.

‘Now we are looking forward to seeing the first nesting pair arrive,’ he said.

Comprising a stainless steel base, the structure was installed in a restricted area of the Millennium Walk.

‘Weighing around 50kg, it was a mission to get up. With our rigging system I got to branch height and fixed it down with bolts,’ said Mr Stonebridge.

‘I dressed the nest with branches to make it more natural and appealing. It faces directly west, so the birds can fly in and out with a clean, unobstructed approach.’

The site was approved last year by visiting osprey conservationist Paul Stammers.

‘Paul was invited to Guernsey to assist in our placement,’ Mr Froome said.

‘He worked for the Rutland Osprey Project for decades and fell in love with the idea.’

Several other UK reintroduction projects are in progress, including one in Poole.

‘The last UK osprey was shot around 150 years ago. When reintroduction started the ospreys were followed to Gambia, Africa, where they migrate for winter. Two ringed ospreys from Poole were seen in Gambia.’

The Rutland and Poole sites have displayed successful osprey breeding since 2001.

‘Rutland birds have laid eggs in Wales. We are hoping to see a similar result here. We aren’t trying to reintroduce them, as they already visit in spring and autumn, but to encourage breeding.’

After migration the birds return north for spring, some of them stopping in Guernsey.

‘Juvenile ospreys stay in Africa for a year or so, as they can’t always return to where their parents are. We hope some will settle here in their migration.’

Collaborative efforts enable osprey populations to grow.

‘UK bird ringers are supporting Gambian children to set up education programmes. Educational children’s books have been published.

‘Ospreys are an iconic species. If we don’t try it will never happen. Biodiversity means one species cannot cope without the other.’