Three ospreys don’t make spring: about small success and big challenges

Ospreys are one of the most endangered species of raptors in Poland. Not surprisingly, the news of the hatching of three new chicks in the Koscian Forest District caused great joy among ornithologists and nature lovers. Unfortunately, there are still more threats than successes.

The population is growing, but…

We asked Dr. Dariusz Anderwald, president of the Committee for the Protection of Eagles (KOO), an expert non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection and study of birds of prey in Poland, to speak about native ospreys.

The osprey is an extremely rare species of raptor in our country. It is an extremely spectacular species of bird that hunts exclusively for fish on rivers, ponds and shallow lakes. The osprey, like any predator, ensures that the delicate balance of nature is maintained. Fortunately, we are seeing a very slow increase in numbers and there are currently 40 pairs. This is still a huge gap compared to, for example, Germany, where almost 800 pairs of this species nest.

There are several reasons why the restoration of osprey populations in Poland is so arduous, despite the efforts of the Committee for the Protection of Eagles and the State Forests, which, under the LifePandionPL project, have meticulously protected all known sites in forest areas. Together, we built as many as 250 inviting nesting platforms in 13 Natura 2000 sites across Poland and 50 on power poles in the west of the country. The main threats found during KOO’s surveys were: poisoning of waters and lack of adequate food, illegal shooting on feeding grounds, electrocution on power poles, predation by martens and hawks, high mortality of young both at the nestling stage and during the long migration to Africa (4-8,000 km).

Data from the Polish Bird Monitoring shows that after many years of declining numbers, the osprey population has finally begun to increase in 2020-2024. Their presence was found in 42 rookeries, which is close to the historical record. What is worrying, however, is what has been called breeding success, which last year was 60 percent, lower than the multi-year average – only 51 baby ospreys flew out of their nests.

Small ospreys in the Kościan Forest District

In early July this year. The Regional Directorate of State Forests (RDSF) in Poznań announced the hatching of three new ospreys in the Koscian Forest District – they are two females and one male. The event is spectacular, as the average number of young per nest in our country is currently 2.13, while the number per pair is only 1.28. The chicks were born on a special nesting platform prepared by foresters.

Tomasz Maćkowiak, a spokesman for the RDSF in Poznań, told Water Matters about the realities of protecting the valuable species:

Conservation efforts carried out by foresters focus primarily on creating suitable nesting conditions for ospreys. A key element is the installation of special nesting platforms in the crowns of the tallest trees in the forest. This work is carried out in cooperation with ornithologists from the Eagle Protection Committee. An example of commitment is the activity of Robert Wise, a forester from Jurkowo Forestry (Koscian Forest District), who weaves the platforms from spruce branches with his own hands. Thanks to his efforts over the years, this year a successful osprey breeding has been recorded in the area. Young ospreys from Koscian, just like 3 weeks ago in the Wloszkowice Forest District, have been ringed by ornithologists from the Eagle Protection Committee.

Currently, there are 276 year-round protection zones for birds of prey on the territory of the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Poznań. Most of them apply to white-tailed eagles (117) and black storks (88). For ospreys, 3 zones have been designated so far: 2 in Kościan Forest District and 1 in Włoszakowice Forest District.

The Sieraków Forest District also actively participates in osprey protection, which took part in the LIFE project Protection of the osprey Pandion haliateus in selected SPA Natura 2000 areas in Poland.. The project included the creation of one platform, the installation of 2 information boards to educate about the importance of protecting these fascinating birds, and a barrier to limit uncontrolled access to sensitive areas.

In addition, from its funds, the Forestry Division has installed a photo trap. Thanks to it, foresters can discreetly monitor the settlement of the nest. The Forestry Commission is also betting on education. In the educational garden Forest Adventure in Bucharzewo special classes are conducted. Using installed nest models, including an osprey, participants learn about the biology and needs of these birds, which builds environmental awareness among youth and adults.

Foresters from the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Poznań are not resting on their laurels. They plan to further expand the network of nesting platforms and identify more potential habitats to ensure stable living and breeding conditions for ospreys.

How far will the young ospreys fly?

In the wildlife world, hatching alone is just a chance for success. Global estimates suggest that the mortality rate of birds in their first year of life is (depending on the species) from 50 to as much as 90 percent. The Krosno osprey trio therefore has its biggest challenge yet to come.

As Tomasz Maćkowiak explains, Osprey conservation faces significant challenges. Among the most serious are invasive predator species, especially raccoons, which can destroy breeding grounds. In response, foresters protect trees populated by ospreys with special bands to prevent these animals from climbing. An additional threat is extreme weather events, such as violent storms, which can destroy nests. Therefore, we regularly monitor the condition of nesting platforms and respond to damage.

It is worth noting that modern urbanization is also having a negative impact on bird populations, as newly developed neighborhoods are often devoid of squares, parks and even individual trees, limiting the habitat of many species.

One might be tempted to conjecture that in a reality in which man has so heavily transformed the environment, his active assistance is the only chance for the survival of the most endangered bird species. Each of them is worth fighting for, but birds of prey deserve special attention.

Why protect birds of prey?

In the air, as in water and on land, predators are a key element in the biological balance, controlling population numbers downstream. Without them, there will be disturbances that can unsettle entire ecosystems, which will not go unnoticed by humans, even if they seemingly have nothing to do with ospreys.

Birds of prey, such as ospreys and peregrine falcons, also serve an important function as bioindicators. Their presence and condition reflect the state of the natural environment – the explains Tomasz Maćkowiak. – In many European Union countries, bird count data are used as indicators of the quality of life of the population.

Peregrine falcons also receive special attention from foresters. In May of this year, ornithologists from the Association for Wildlife Falcon, together with foresters, ringed the region’s first young peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). The bird has also received a GPS transmitter, which will allow tracking its life and flight paths. This is an important step toward more effective protection of this rare and endangered species. Thanks to years of efforts by ornithologists, foresters and wildlife organizations, there are currently about 200 pairs of peregrine falcons in Poland. The number of pairs inhabiting forest areas is increasing.

We can’t help but wish good luck to the ospreys, falcons and… the people who are fighting for their survival.