Ospreys

Ospreys often nest in remote locations which makes powering systems and transmitting HD video challenging. Many of ‘our’ osprey nest cameras are powered via off-grid solar/battery and video transmitted via wireless bridges or 4G. Often we work with local rural broadband providers to help deliver video from even the most remote location (Locheilnet for Loch Arkaig and Extremal Reality for Loch Garten.) 

Systems are designed and installed to cope with harsh environments. All cabling used is SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) and the best lightening protection incorporated where necessary.  

As we are specialists in tree climbing WW can deliver complete systems start to finish, no need for the logistics of organising additional climbers. 

Wildlife Windows has a long history of working with ospreys. From assisting with field work studying ospreys in Canada in the early 1990’s to driving the creation of the UK south coast osprey reintroduction our experience is broad.

To date we have installed camera systems at 6 osprey nesting locations across the UK. High profile camera systems include RSPB Loch Garten, Woodland Trust Loch Arkaig and Manton Bay (LRWT/Rutland Water). Other sites are SSEN substation Alyth (Perthshire), Gilestone Farm (Powys) and early nesting attempts in Poole Harbour (Dorset). 

South Coast Ospreys

In 2009 Wildlife Windows, working with several local nature conservation organisations and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, began building artificial nesting platforms in Dorset. WW built nest platforms on sites managed by F.E., N.E. RSPB and N.T. The aim was to encourage the many visiting ospreys to settle down and breed on the South Coast. Nesting platforms were also built by other organisations along the coast to Sussex.

By 2014 the passive methods had not worked so Jason Fathers (WW) approached Roy Dennis again to see if he would consider a translocation project. Around the same time Birds of Poole Harbour became a potential partner in the process so WW introduced BoPH to Roy Dennis and Tim Mackrill. A plan was hatched to move forward with translocation of ospreys from Scotland to Poole Harbour.

WW were commissioned to build all the release pens and set up the monitoring infrastructure.  

In 2021, for the first time in approx. 170 years eggs were laid by an osprey in Dorset . It would be a further 2 years before a nesting attempt was successful, history made and the goal achieved. WW are proud to have driven this project and praise BoPH and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation for the ongoing excellent management.