In a momentous event that marks a significant milestone for Irish wildlife conservation, ospreys have once again graced the emerald skies of Ireland with their majestic presence.
This extraordinary occurrence signifies the triumphant return of the osprey to the wilds of the Emerald Isle, after an absence of nearly 250 years. The news has been met with extreme joy by Irish conservationists and nature enthusiasts alike.
Ospreys, those magnificent birds of prey known for their incredibly distinctive massive brown and white wings, have been thriving on a global scale. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized them as “Least Concern,” highlighting the overall positive trend in their population growth. However, the story has been vastly different in Ireland, where these awe-inspiring birds were driven to extinction by relentless hunting over two centuries ago.
The historical records show that the last documented record of ospreys nesting in Ireland dates all the way back to the year 1779. This was reported by the Ireland-based conservation group, the Golden Eagle Trust, on their Facebook page. Since then, these remarkable raptors have been conspicuously absent from the Irish skies, despite the occasional visits by migrating ospreys seeking respite on the island.
Notably, the long-standing absence of osprey breeding in Ireland has finally come to an end, all thanks to the dedication and vigilant observation of Giles Knight. Knight is an experienced birdwatcher, as well as the Environmental Farming Scheme Advisor with Ulster Wildlife, a prominent conservation non-profit organization. His discovery of a nesting pair of ospreys is a testament to the unrelenting efforts put forth by individuals and organizations committed to preserving Ireland’s natural heritage.
Although ospreys were known to stop on the island to rest, since the signing of the US Declaration of Independence, it would seem that no pair ever deemed it safe to raise their young.
Knight said in a statement, “Along with my son Eoin, I have watched the adults return to the same site since 2021, so you can imagine my excitement the moment that I saw three chicks and two adults this year. It was a rub-your-eyes, once-in-a-lifetime moment; an absolute highlight of my 30-year wildlife career—like finding long-lost treasure.”
He added, “With at least two of the chicks fledging this season, this is a huge conservation success story and indicates a healthy wetland ecosystem with plenty of suitable habitat and fish to bring this apex predator back to our skies and plunging into the Fermanagh Lakelands. Truly the return of a living countryside!”
As with all conservation stories, the resurgence of ospreys in Ireland is definitely one to applaud. The successful breeding of these iconic birds not only demonstrates the positive impact of positive dedicated conservation work but also highlights the resilience of nature when given a rich and nurturing environment for recovery. The return of the ospreys is one that has been very long-awaited.
Delving into the cultural and historical aspects of the osprey, the Golden Eagle Trust shed light on the old Gaelic name for this remarkable bird – “Iascaire Coirneach,” which translated means “Tonsured Fisherman.” This intriguing name is believed to be taken from the osprey’s distinctive appearance, with a black eye band and a white crown that bears a resemblance to the semi-bald tonsure typically associated with medieval Christian monks, explains the Golden Eagle Trust on their celebratory post on Facebook. This historical connection further emphasizes the deep-rooted fascination that these birds held in Irish culture throughout the ages.
“Now these birds are back in Ireland and breeding successfully, it is critical that they are left in peace so their numbers can continue to grow by returning year on year to breed. We believe and hope that this could be the start of a raptor dynasty,” Knight added in the statement.
With the victorious breeding of ospreys in the wilds of Ireland after a lapse of nearly 250 years, this momentous achievement stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to protect and rejuvenate Ireland’s incredibly rich biodiversity.
As ospreys reclaim their place in the Irish skis, this outstanding event symbolizes hope and resilience to remind all of the amazing ability of nature to recover, when given the opportunity and protection it deserves.
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