Scottish Raptor Groups

The return of the Osprey to historical breeding territories in the Highlands of Scotland was probably the major conservation success story of the 20th Century. Ruthlessly harried by egg and specimen collectors, the last breeding record in Speyside had been at Loch an Eilean in 1899. Though landowners and gamekeepers had also contributed to its demise, a small number realised that the species made little threat to game interests and this probably helped it to cling on at remoter locations and it remained breeding at Loch Arkaig until 1908, where a single bird turned up annually until 1913. Apart from the occasional record subsequently, the hand of man had effectively eliminated the Osprey as a breeding species in Scotland. Philip Brown and George Waterston provide full historical accounts (1962, 1979).

In the early 1950's there were occasional reports of wandering birds in Speyside, but nothing to suggest that birds had been present until it was revealed that a pair had bred successfully in 1954. At this time the RSPB and the SOC, aware that breeding attempts were likely, had been galvanised into action and `Operation Osprey', run with military precision, came into being. Egg collectors remained a major threat and the dedicated band of volunteers led by George Waterston had to endure a series of setbacks and disappointments before the next pair successfully bred in 1959. Expansion from these early successes was a slow process and after 10 years only 4 pairs were established. After 20 years the number of pairs had increased to 22.

Philip Brown has suggested that by the beginning of the 19th century, Ospreys were breeding regularly in a number of Scottish counties including Dunbarton, Kirkudbright, Stirlingshire, Argyll and Kinross although trying to estimate the size of the population was more challenging. During the re-colonisation it was interesting to observe the number of historical sites which were steadily re-occupied. By 2003 it was estimated there were 162 breeding pairs, with the Highland area and Tayside the major strongholds. Breeding birds are also now established in the Borders and Galloway. Through the Highland Wildlife Foundation young Scottish birds have been successfully exported to England - see http://www.ospreys.org.uk. By any standards this is a tremendous achievement. Though most of the early pioneers of `Operation Osprey' have passed on, it is unlikely they could ever have imagined in their wildest dreams the tremendous legacy they were providing. The RSPB have been pivotal to this success and sustained their early commitment throughout. Along with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, RSPB have provided public viewing facilities which have been used by many thousands of visitors, but more importantly, have stimulated a wider interest in birds and conservation issues.

By any standards this is a spectacular bird of prey. It is little wonder the Osprey has captured the hearts and minds of the general public and become such a Scottish icon. Members of raptor groups have played a key part in keeping the success story going by monitoring the population on an annual basis.

References
Brown, Philip. 1979 The Scottish Ospreys Heinemann, London
Brown, Philip & Waterston, George. 1962 The Return of the Osprey Collins