First osprey chick of 2025 hatched at Poole Harbour
The chick was welcomed in the early hours of Thursday morning
Last updated 22nd May 2025
The first osprey chick to be born in the south of England in 2025 has been hatched on the shores of Poole Harbour.
Male bird 022 and female bird CJ7 were able to lay four eggs at their nest in a walled garden close to the harbour in Dorset in April.
The birds are the only pair of breeding ospreys in the south of England, and were able to see a number of successful hatches during the 2024 season.
On Thursday (May 22nd), researchers studying the birds confirmed that the first healthy chick hatched from its egg just before 5:50am.
Conservation charity Birds of Poole Harbour eagerly welcomed the chick, but expressed concern as they remarked: "One out, three to go."
A second egg also appeared to hatch, despite having been laid three days later than the original hatchling.
Last summer, all four eggs successfully hatched, helping to improve the numbers of osprey in the area.
Webcams have been installed near to the nest, with eager birdwatchers watching as the couple incubated the eggs in the hope of successful hatches.
Osprey were recently reintroduced to the south coast in 2022 as part of a reintroduction scheme after 180 years, being spearheaded by Birds of Poole Harbour.
The chick is now believed to be healthy, taking its first feed around five hours after it was born; the second chick is believed to be out by Thursday evening.