The first osprey chicks acquired in Norway to re-introduce the species to Ireland were released into the wild this weekend.

The satellite-tagged chicks are part of a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) programme aiming to re-introduce 50 young ospreys.

Ospreys are fish-eating birds of prey, living close to rivers, lakes or coastal areas, which ensure a sufficient supply of their favourite food.

They are known to be monogamous and faithful to both their mate and their nest.

Ospreys became extinct in Ireland over 150 years ago, but a breeding pair was discovered for the first time in Fermanagh over three years ago – giving birth to chicks recently, according to Ulster Wildlife.

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan describe the release of Norwegian-born osprey chicks as a “milestone moment” which is “particularly exciting given the news of a breeding pair in Northern Ireland”.

“It is a positive sign of the quality of the habitats on this island and gives us reason for great hope that these chicks will eventually breed here too and reminds us that biodiversity action can – and does – yield positive returns,” he aid.

“We know from our European neighbours and our own first-hand experience that reintroduction programmes can bolster declining populations, gradually increasing them over time, while giving us valuable scientific insights into managing the return of this vulnerable species to our shores to plunge and dive for fish and eventually breed,” he said.

“Similar to the white-tailed eagle programme, the success of this initiative relies on the support of our farmers and landowners, who are working together with an experienced NPWS team, and I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to them for their contribution in bringing this spectacular bird back to our skies,” Noonan added.

The NPWS has developed expertise over the past 16 years in re-introducing species that had been extinct.

Its white-tailed eagle programme has reintroduced 170 white-tailed eagles to Ireland, some of which are now fledging chicks, in an ongoing partnership with Norway.

NPWS south-west divisional manager Philip Buckley, who heads up the osprey re-introduction programme, said that identifying a suitable habitat to which the birds will return each year is key”.

He paid tribute to international partners and thanked the farming community in the southeast for “their engagement and co-operation.”

A pair of fish-loving ospreys have bred in Ireland for the first time in almost two centuries on the island of Ireland.

Two and “possibly three” chicks have been confirmed in the nest of the pair at an undisclosed location in Co Fermanagh, according to Ulster Wildlife.

Giles Knight, Ulster Wildlife environmental farming scheme advisor, had been aware of the breeding pair and observed them while undertaking farm visits in the area during the last three seasons.

The osprey, with its distinctive white head and rangy aspect, frequents coastlines and waterways in sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Scotland, northern Europe and North America, living off a diet of live fish.

Native ospreys, which gave their name to places such as Osprey rock on Kerry’s Lough Léin, have not bred in Ireland for over 150 years.

As in Scotland, they were hunted to extinction. Recolonisation began over a half century ago in Scotland, where there are believed to be around 250 to 300 breeding pairs.

A breeding programme with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, involving international experts in Norway and Britain, was announced here several months ago by Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan. The first 12 chicks from Norway were due to arrive here in July.

Visiting ospreys have been spotted on migration, such as a bird spotted flying over the lakes of Killarney in early May of this year.

“I have been keeping this news close to my chest for a long time to ensure the safety and welfare of these spectacular but vulnerable birds,” Mr Knight said.

“Along with my son Eoin, I have watched the adults return to the same site since 2021, so you can imagine my excitement the moment that I saw three chicks and two adults this year. It was a rub- your-eyes, once-in-a-lifetime moment; an absolute highlight of my 30-year wildlife career – like finding long-lost treasure,” he said.

“With at least two of the chicks fledging this season, this is a huge conservation success story and indicates a healthy wetland ecosystem with plenty of suitable habitat and fish to bring this apex predator back to our skies and plunging into the Fermanagh Lakelands,” he said.

“Now these birds are back in Ireland and breeding successfully, it is critical that they are left in peace so their numbers can continue to grow by returning year on year to breed. We believe and hope that this could be the start of a raptor dynasty,” he added.

Dr Marc Ruddock of the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group described it as “truly brilliant news”.

The fish-eating Osprey, which became extinct here 150 years ago, are to be reintroduced to Ireland this summer.

Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is “ready to move forward” by reintroducing the bird of prey.

The first 12 Osprey chicks are due to arrive in July.

The Osprey is a specialist feeder, relying on medium-sized fish, both marine and freshwater. The bird will fly above the water’s surface to locate fish, sometimes gliding and soaring up to 70 metres high.

The NPWS says the reintroduction programme aims to establish a viable, free-ranging Osprey population that eventually breeds in Ireland.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service plans to bring 50-70 Osprey chicks to Ireland from Norway over a five-year period. The first 12 Osprey chicks are due to arrive in July Photo: RSPB

The project has been led by a highly experienced NPWS team, headed up by divisional managers Dr Phillip Buckley and Eamonn Meskell – who also led the highly successful White-tailed Eagle reintroduction programme in Ireland.

“The NPWS plans to bring 50-70 Osprey chicks to Ireland from Norway over a five-year period,” Noonan said.

“NPWS has drawn on international expertise and learning from around Europe and North America in the development of this programme,” he said.

“ In particular, the project has the direct involvement of colleagues from Norway and Britain, who are not only top Osprey experts, but who have led and supported other key species-reintroduction programmes in Europe,” he said.

“The NPWS has great expertise from its introduction of the white-tailed eagle, and the same, highly experienced team will now put their knowledge to good use as we embark on the reintroduction of the Osprey,” he said.

As part of a programme of events celebrating National Biodiversity Week, Noonan visited some of the nesting platforms currently in place for migratory Osprey, who sometimes visit Ireland.

New nesting platforms are being erected on Ireland’s south-east coast, on a key migratory route for Osprey between Northern Europe and Africa. They will be in place and ready for the arrival of the chicks this summer, he said.

Ospreys became extinct in Ireland 150 years ago, and several place names around Ireland, particularly in Munster, reference the bird.

Killarney National Park is home to a site known as Osprey Rock at Loch Léinn, pointing to the bird’s history in Ireland, particularly close to rivers and lakes as it hunts for fish.

The NPWS says that while the programme may take some time for the species to begin breeding again, reintroducing this fish-eating apex predator will provide significant insights into the health of the Irish ecosystem and its waters over time.

Information has emerged as to how a young osprey tagged in the Scottish Borders hitched a ride on two ships during his first attempt at migration.

Conservationist Sacha Dench is part of a team tracking the bird to learn more about the species' behaviour.

She told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme how the osprey - called Glen - took his unusual route.

At one point it was feared he had died but he has now made it safely to Spain with the help of the two vessels.

Ms Dench - who was seriously injured in a crash which claimed the life of her cameraman in the Highlands last year - explained what happened to Glen after he left the Tweed Valley.

She said he had taken a "particularly unusual route" after his departure on 9 September.

For more including a map of the bird of prey's route across the Bay of Biscay, BBC News has the story.

#endeavourtrophy – Piping their nearest rivals to the post in the final race of the series was just enough for Matt Burge and Toby Lewis representing the Osprey class to secure the 2014 Topper Sailboats-supported UK Endeavour Championship.

The final race showdown was exciting with Ian Dobson and Holly Scott (GP14) establishing an impressive one-minute lead over Mee and Pygall (Merlin Rocket). Dobson and Scott maintained their position to the finish but in the closing stages of the race, Burge and Lewis (Osprey) were back in contention after being buried at the start and were able to take advantage of a favourable shift at the final leeward mark and just managed to beat Mee and Pygall across the line.

Toby Lewis - four times Endeavour Champion crew - added. "It is great to win it with Matt. We had a tough day today, and a real fight on our hands. It was just an excellent last race. Today was a real case of not giving up. In both races we were buried at times but through sheer determination we pulled through."

At 16 years old, Rachel Grayson (Mirror class national champion) is not only one of the youngest helmsmen at this year's event but according available records, she is also the highest placed female helmsman ever at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club-hosted Endeavour Championship.

Grayson sailing with Nigel Wakefield, who finished the event in sixth place overall, was noted for her extreme skill, professional composure and her consistent performance throughout the weekend.

Overall Results (eight races, 1 discard)
1. Osprey, Matt Burge and Toby Lewis, 21 points
2. Merlin Rocket, Matt Mee and Tom Pygall, 22
3. GP 14, Ian Dobson and Holly Scott, 23
4. Lark, Charlie Roome and Jeremy Stephens, 33
5. Streaker, Tom Gillard and Sam Brearey, 33
6. Mirror, Rachel Grayson and Nigel Wakefield, 37

Full results here