The Third Vice Presidency and Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, Territory and Recovery has confirmed the return to the Valencian Community of five ospreysThese specimens were released in the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park as part of the species reintroduction program. Four of these eagles were released in 2024 and return for the first time after their migration, while a male released in 2023 It returns for the second year in a row.
A crucial step forward for the recovery of the species
This return represents a significant step forward for the osprey recovery program, managed by the Directorate General for the Natural Environment and Animal Welfare. The birds' observed behavior aligns with the species' biological cycle, which indicates that ospreys typically remain in their wintering grounds during their first year of life, returning to their birth or release areas in their second year.
The five copies They come from Scotland, the result of collaboration between the Generalitat, the Migres Foundation, the Iberdrola Foundation and Roy Dennis FoundationThis latter entity has contributed annually twelve chickens to the Valencian reintroduction project since the year 2023.
Identified specimens and their locations
This season, the following specimens have been identified as having returned:
- The female 1LJ, released in 2024, was photographed on May 15th in the Ses Salines Natural Park of Ibiza.
- The male 1JT, released in 2024, was observed 14 June in the Espai Natural dels Estanys d'Almenara, detected by a camera in an enabled nest.
- The male 1JWalso released in 2024, was identified 29 June in the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park.
- The male 1LM, released in 2024, was seen on July 2th in the Almenara Marsh, in the same area as 1JT.
- The male 1HC, released in 2023, was located last 19 June near one of the new nests installed in the Albufera Natural Park.
The case of male 1JW and the importance of artificial nests
One of the most notable cases is that of the male 1JW, originally from a Scottish nest known as Loch Arkaig, which has been monitored with cameras for years. During the breeding season of 2024An intervention was necessary to ensure the chicks' survival due to the lack of regular food provided by the breeding male. Their return this year underscores the species' adaptability and resilience under suitable conditions.
It is also noted that the four males Those that have returned this year have been observed using or visiting artificial nests. These structures, installed as part of the recovery program, aim to facilitate the future establishment of breeding pairs in various wetlands of the Valencian Community. The program is supported by Migres Foundation, the Iberdrola Spain Foundation, as well as the town councils of Pego, Oliva, Dénia y Xàbiaand in the case of Almenara, of Group of Studies and Protection of Rapinyaires-Ecologists in Action (GER-EA).
Factors that favor the return
The initial monitoring results also reinforce a hypothesis of the project's technical team: the specimens that have returned are those that remained longer in the Pego-Oliva Marsh area after their release, before migrating to Africa. This longer stay could have contributed to their physical development and the refinement of their fishing techniques, increasing their chances of survival during the first migration and facilitating their return.
The Valencian government will continue monitoring these ospreys over the coming months. The aim is to understand their development and verify whether they remain in the Valencian Community until they reach sexual maturity, an essential step for their potential survival. Development of the first breeding pairs within this recovery project, funded by European funds (PEPAC).
