Project Dates: 14.12.2024 to 14.12.2026

The Devon Osprey Partnership is a group dedicated to securing a nesting osprey population in Devon after a 200-year absence. The project has a multi-phased approach, involving the construction of artificial nest platforms in suitable locations across Devon, followed by potential future translocation of osprey chicks in the future if required.

The project aims to increase biodiversity by re-establishing ospreys to their historical range and will engage with local communities, landowners, and other stakeholders to raise awareness and gain support. 

Project Outcomes:  

• Ecological Restoration: Returning a native species to its former range, increasing biodiversity.  

• Rewilding: Reintroducing Ospreys to Devon and establishing a viable breeding population.  

• Restoration of Native Species: Increasing the number of breeding pairs and individuals within the Osprey population.  

• Awareness Raising: Increasing public knowledge about Ospreys and the importance of their conservation.  

• Environmental Management & Monitoring: Developing management plans and strategies at local, regional or national levels to ensure the long-term success of the project. 

 

Image credits: Devon Osprey Partnership

IMPACT SUMMARY JANUARY 2026

Project Activities: 

• The project has gone from strength to strength with nine new nest sites installed taking the project total to twenty-one nests installed across Devon.
• The project team have also continued to survey locations throughout this period as they look to increase the number of areas that benefit from having an artificial nest platform installed.
• The project is generating a lot of enthusiasm across the area, with numerous landowners approaching the project directly having heard about our work via third parties.
• They have also continued to work with other groups to create a joined up approach to Osprey recolonisation of the south-west.
• Seb, the project lead, has given talks at Ivybridge for the Wild About The Erme River (WATER) AGM, Clinton Devon / Pebbled Heaths Open Day at the LORP site, and for DEF at The Crafty Mussell.
• The project team visited Rutland Water on a warm July day to accompany Tim Mackrill ringing Osprey chicks and checking nests in Leicestershire.

 

Project Impact: 

• The key impact of this project is increasing the viability of south Devon as a breeding location for osprey. This year saw a number of nests visited by ospreys both during the summer by prospecting adults, and also in the autumn by migrating juveniles. One bird, a young unhinged female, visited a nest daily for a fortnight in the autumn – hopefully a sign that these birds will return to Devon’s estuaries in the near future.

 

Seb Loram, Project Lead: We were thrilled to visit Rutland Water on a warm July day to accompany Tim Mackrill ringing Osprey chicks and checking nests in Leicestershire. It was fascinating to see how these nests fit into the landscape and we discussed ongoing work to help Ospreys return to breed in Devon. The DOP team have also been working with partners in Cornwall and with the newly formed Mendip Osprey Project to help connect the SW from an Osprey’s perspective.