Description:

Ospreys, although having forsaken the UK altogether in the past, were reintroduced in the 1950’s and have been returning from Africa to nest mainly in Scotland. The RSPB however have a plan to entice them back to Dorset in particular. The cunning scheme is to build nests and place fake birds made of polystyrene in them. The idea is to get their attention as they fly over and hopefully make the living situation appear so appealing they decide to try it out for themselves and begin to breed.

Arne Nature Reserve will have some of these decoy nests – with the fake birds being some two foot tall. Osprey’s themselves have a wing span of up to 7 feet so the sight of these magnificent birds of prey back in the South will be an exciting spectacle for nature lovers.

The RSPB believe this will not only enrich our regional wildlife but help ease some pressures up North where scarcity of fish is becoming an issue. Osprey only eat fish.

Some locals are viewing the move with less approval. Concerns range from fears that smaller birds and other wildlife figures may deplete further with the introduction of more hunting birds to fears that the Osprey themselves may become sport for hunters.