How ospreys and other raptors interact with agricultural landscapes and what farmers and conservationists can do to support their recovery.
Raptors face ongoing welfare and conservation challenges in agricultural landscapes despite population recoveries from historical persecution. Rodenticide poisoning represents the most significant current threat, creating welfare harms including hemorrhage and neurological damage in affected birds. Transitioning to snap traps or other non-toxic rodent control methods eliminates this risk. Lead ammunition replacement with copper alternatives dramatically reduces raptor poisoning rates. Nest box programs require ongoing monitoring and management to be effective. Agricultural policies that support raptor-friendly practices, including grassland set-asides and reduced pesticide use, provide systemic benefits beyond individual nest box installations.