Osprey project sees last chick take to the skies

The fourth and final chick belonging to the only breeding pair of ospreys in the south of England has taken flight.

A reintroduction programme began in Poole Harbour in 2017 with the long-term aim of establishing a breeding population.

The latest fledgling, known as 5H6, took to the skies on Monday afternoon.

Conservation charity Birds of Poole Harbour said it was "an amazing success with all chicks looking in great condition and now learning to explore the skies".

The chicks' parents - CJ7 and 022 - first met in the summer of 2021, although the male was initially too young to breed.

But they were to become the first known ospreys to breed in southern England since 1847.

The first egg was spotted in April 2022, giving naturalist Chris Packham cause for celebration, before hatching in June.

The eldest chick, known as 5R0, took off on 14 July followed by 5R2 a couple of hours later, 5R1 on Thursday morning and finally 5H6 on Monday at 15:28 BST.

Birds of Poole Harbour said: "This has been an amazing success with all chicks looking in great condition and now learning to explore the skies.

"They’re still coming back to the nest for fish from the parents and will continue to do so for the next few weeks before starting to think about making their migration in August-September."

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