Osprey conservation, a model for biodiversity protection

Recovery projects in Andalusia, the Basque Country, and Portugal.

As part of a recovery projectcarried out in Andalusia between 2003 and 2012, 191 ospreys from Germany, Scotland, and Finland were released into the wild. Thanks to these efforts, there are now 19 breeding pairs in the Spain.

Thus, the successful recovery of this once-extinct species stands as a clear example of how species extinction can be reversed. These pairs have settled in two reservoirs within the Los Alcornocales Natural Park in the province of Cádiz and in the Marismas del Odiel Natural Site in the province of Huelva.

Following this pioneering project, two additional reintroduction programmes were carried out in the Iberian Peninsula—one in the Basque Country and another in Portugal. As a result, there are now four more breeding pairs of this iconic bird of prey.

The project’s goal was not only to restore an extinct population but also to strengthen and link the Mediterranean osprey population, which remains small and fragmented, both demographically and genetically. 

What do ospreys do in winter?

During the winter months, many birds from northern Europe migrate to the Iberian Peninsula to spend the season, significantly increasing their numbers. Up to 500 birds overwinter in the region. This highlights the vital role of wetlands in the conservation of this species and many others.

For four winters, volunteers and professionals from Spain and Portugal have joined forces to monitor and quantify this wintering population. Nearly 600 people took part in this experience over several days, sharing their work and their love for the osprey on social media, on the radio, and in the press.

Conservation measures for the osprey 

Efforts to protect this species continue today. We shouldn’t let our guard down. Thanks to Endesa’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, and specifically its support of the osprey conservation project in Andalusia, a second phase is now underway following the species’ reintroduction. This project involves:

• Building a network of volunteers to help monitor, protect, and raise awareness of this species. Public engagement is key to showcasing conservation projects and fostering community involvement.

• Installing nesting platforms in strategic locations to encourage breeding.

• Ensuring surveillance and monitoring in osprey habitats, particularly during the breeding season—the most vulnerable stage of their life cycle.

• Tagging birds is a vital task that helps gather valuable data about their lives.

• And finally, raising public awareness, as keeping society informed through educational talks, press releases, social media, live webcams, and other channels is crucial to sustaining these initiatives.

New challenges for osprey conservation

While the osprey population is now well established, its growth has stalled—the number of breeding pairs is no longer increasing. This presents new conservation challenges. To better understand the reasons behind this stagnation, scientific research is essential. We have therefore launched a series of scientific studies to establish clear priorities and identify the critical stages in the osprey’s life cycle that should be the focus of conservation efforts.

• First, we conducted an analysis of the causes of unnatural mortality. This research has already been published.

• The second study focused on aspects of the osprey’s winter ecology, which will help us understand the variables that determine its distribution and, therefore, its habitat preferences. This study is currently under review.

• The final analysis aims to assess the species’ population viability, which helps us estimate the probability of extinction.

When it comes to unnatural mortality, the leading cause is entanglement in deterrent nets around fish farms. These nets are installed to prevent bird's from capturing the fish. These facilities represent an abundant and predictable food source for the osprey, and birds like to fish there. However, this poses a fatal risk as they can become trapped in the nets and die as a result.

Science has already provided us with some initial data to guide our efforts in the right direction. Now, it’s crucial for us to engage with the companies responsible for these activities and seek win-win solutions so that both our biodiversity and the productive sectors can benefit.