Ireland is to welcome its first 12 osprey chicks as a major reintroduction project for the extinct species takes off this summer.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service have been gliding towards the milestone move for some time.
It aims to bring between 50 and 70 osprey chicks from Norway to Ireland over the next five years in a bid to improve biodiversity and provide insight into the health of our waters.
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Ospreys last lived in Ireland some 150 years ago, with a site in Killarney National Park named for the species.
The magnificent bird of prey has a wingspan of up to 1.5m and dives underwater to catch the fish it subsists on.
Commenting on the preparations for the chicks’ arrival in July, Minister Malcolm Noonan said: “The NPWS plans to bring 50-70 Osprey chicks to Ireland from Norway over a five-year period.
“NPWS has drawn on international expertise and learning from around Europe and North America in the development of this programme.
“In particular, the project has the direct involvement of colleagues from Norway and UK, who are not only top Osprey experts, but who have led and supported other key species-reintroduction programmes in Europe.
“The NPWS has great expertise from its introduction of the white-tailed eagle and the same, highly experienced team will now put their knowledge to good use as we embark on the reintroduction of the Osprey.”
The reintroduction programme aims to establish a viable, free-ranging Osprey population that eventually breeds in Ireland.
It will be led by a highly experienced team, headed up by Divisional Managers Dr Phillip Buckley and Eamonn Meskell, who also led the highly successful White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme in Ireland.
Dr Buckley said: “We are extremely grateful to the authorities and colleagues in Norway for supplying the young Ospreys, and for their expertise which is enabling this landmark conservation programme to happen.
“Likewise to the farmers and landowners involved and also to many others from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Britain, elsewhere in Europe and indeed internationally who are providing expertise or helping with this work; their help is critical and much appreciated.”
As part of a programme of events celebrating National Biodiversity Week, Minister Noonan visited some of the nesting platforms currently in place for migratory Osprey who sometimes visit Ireland. New nesting platforms are being erected in Ireland’s Southeast, on a key migratory route for Osprey between Northern Europe and Africa. They will be in place and ready for the arrival of the chicks this summer.
Mr Meskell said: “In addition to the holding pens at the release sites, artificial eyries will also be constructed in the release area. “The details of construction of holding pens and artificial nest sites, feeding and care of birds, their transport and release are based on extensive experience with other Osprey reintroduction programmes, and with the White Tailed Eagle reintroduction programmes in Ireland over nine years.
“Once the chicks arrive in Ireland we’ll be monitoring their progress and adapting their feeding regime to build towards their eventual release over the summer.”
Ospreys became extinct in Ireland 150 years ago.
They have a long heritage in Ireland, with several place names around Ireland, particularly in Munster, referencing the bird. Killarney National Park is home to a site known as Osprey Rock at Loch Léinn pointing to the bird’s history in Ireland, particularly close to rivers and lakes as it hunts for fish.
While the programme may take some time for the species to begin breeding again, the reintroduction of this fish-eating apex predator will provide significant insights into the health of the Irish ecosystem, and its waters over time.
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