The Osprey Cruise with Birds of Poole Harbour was superb. They are a charity completely dedicated to educating people on the stunning variety of bird life in and around Poole Harbour.
Poole Harbour’s Unique Location
Poole Harbour has SPA (Special Protection Area) designation. This means it hosts nationally and internationally important numbers of bird species, making it one of the most ecologically important areas in Britain, not to mention being bordered by some of the most pristine examples of lowland heathland in the country.
Therefore, the study of birds and monitoring of their numbers and behaviour is vital to the ongoing conservation efforts that take place.
The Diary of our Very Special Osprey Pair
For the past three years, Osprey 022 (male) and CJ7 (female, pictured above) have successfully raised chicks, thanks to a translocation project by the conservation charity Birds of Poole Harbour.
They became the first breeding Osprey in Southern England in nearly 200 years!
In 2022, 022 and CJ7 raised two chicks, one of which was killed by a Goshawk, and in 2023, they successfully raised three chicks.
In 2024, they raised four chicks, a rare occurrence in Ospreys.
This year in 2025, they have raised another four chicks. Three of the four are male, which is great news.
Whilst on our recent Osprey Cruise with Birds of Poole Harbour, we learnt that the males display natal philopatry, whereby they return to breed where they originally fledged, therefore in Dorset!
Birds of Poole Harbour have further fantastic news in that the pair have since become Grandparents!
Their female chick 5H1 made history back in 2022 when she became the first Osprey to hatch in Southern England since 1847 at Carey Secret Garden in Wareham, and amazingly in 2024 she became the first Poole Harbour hatched Osprey to return to the UK as an adult.
Now 5H1 has achieved another milestone for the project, becoming the first Poole Harbour hatched Osprey to breed successfully! Remarkably, she has chosen to breed in the East Midlands where her mother CJ7 is originally from. 5H1 has paired up with male 3AY, hatched in Rutland in 2019. They have had incredible success for a first-time breeding pair, rearing three chicks.
Whilst on our recent Birds of Poole Harbour Osprey Cruise, we witnessed Ospreys catching fish and we impressively witnessed a chase over fish between two Ospreys and a White-tailed Eagle (G466), which leads me on to another successful conservation project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation…
Dorset’s first White-tailed Eagle chick for over 240 years!
White-tailed Eagles are Britain’s largest birds of prey with a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres and were once widespread across England. Sadly however, human persecution caused their extinction, with the last pair breeding in Southern England in 1780.
In 2019, the Forestry Commission and Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation began reintroducing these iconic birds to the English landscape.
Consequently, thanks to their dedicated hard work, this year 2025, we have the first White-tailed Eagle chick to hatch in Dorset for over 240 years!
It’s a male chick (G834) fledged from a nest in Dorset. Its parent are G463 (male) and G466 (female).
This is the first successful breeding attempt in Dorset, and made more remarkable by the fact that the male adult bird has only one leg after it lost it 4 years ago.
Likewise with the success of the Birds of Poole Harbour Osprey translocation project, returning lost species like the White-tailed Eagle is a key part of Forestry England’s approach to restoring biodiversity and helping nature to recover.
Amazing interactions witnessed recently between the Osprey and the White-tailed Eagle, that haven’t been possible for 240 years on the south coast, goes to show the tremendous nature recovery work that has taken place locally. Two native, reintroduced species thriving here together is fabulous to see!
Hopefully, thanks to all those involved, the White-tailed Eagle and the Osprey, will be a common sight in Dorset in years to come!
Birds of Poole Harbour Cruises and Events
Birds of Poole Harbour offer several all year round Safari Cruises and events.
Having sailed with Birds of Poole Harbour on two occasions, we can’t recommend them enough. Both sails were fabulous!
On our latest Osprey Cruise at the end of August 2025, Paul and Mark were so keen and knowledgeable. They spoke passionately about nature recovery, and gave us a fascinating running commentary on the Osprey and the White-tailed Eagle sightings, amongst other bird species too.
Each sail was smooth, thanks to the captain, and there were refreshments onboard to purchase. There were also binoculars to borrow whilst on the cruise.
Birds of Poole Harbour also have pop up free events at local viewpoints Ham Common Look Out and Rock Lea Viewpoint.
In partnership with Birds of Poole Harbour, the Carey Secret Gardens offer a guided tour to view the nesting osprey pair mentioned above.
From the viewing platform you can see their nest, which is featured on the Birds of Poole Harbour webcam.
Please visit Birds of Poole Harbour website. They are a charity completely dedicated to educating people on the stunning variety of bird life in and around Poole Harbour. They do a remarkable job!
Whether you’re an avid beginner (like us) or experienced naturalist, with Birds of Poole Harbour there is something for everyone!
If you are interested in bird life, you may also be interested in visiting RSPB Arne, as well as The Abbotsbury Swannery. Please click on the links to find out more.
You can also read about Careys Secret Garden, less than a mile away, in our blog ‘2 Tranquil Dorset Gardens’.
If you enjoyed reading this blog and would like to learn about updates, events in the area or last-minute availability at our Dorset B&B, Spurwing Guest House, you can subscribe to our mailing list.
