Osprey chick hatches in Biesbosch nature reserve

The osprey nest in a video still
The osprey nest in a video still

At least one osprey chick has hatched in the Biesbosch nature reserve south east of Dordrecht, forestry commission officials said on Wednesday.

It is the first time an osprey pair have successfully produced offspring in the Netherlands. Rangers have not seen any chicks yet but say the change in the adult birds’ behaviour shows that at least one egg has hatched.

Ospreys are migratory but several pairs have been spotted in the Biesbosch in the spring since 2014. Some have built nests but none had produced young up to now.

Parts of the Biesbosch boating route have been closed to the public to allow the birds to raise their young undisturbed.

The osprey, which only eats fish, has a wing span of up to 1.8 metres. It winters in North Africa and nests in many part of Europe, largely near freshwater lakes and rivers, and sometimes on coastal brackish waters.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation