UK ospreys spend September to March in West Africa, and the conservation status of their wintering grounds directly affects the welfare and survival of birds that breed in Britain.
Osprey welfare does not end at the breeding season — the 6 months spent in West Africa are critical for body condition recovery and preparation for the following year's migration and breeding attempt. Individual ospreys that have committed to winter territories lose access to reliable food supplies when those sites are degraded or disturbed. The physical demand of two annual 3,000 km migrations makes good body condition at departure and arrival essential for survival. Habitat loss in West Africa that reduces fish availability forces ospreys to range farther, expend more energy, and arrive at UK breeding sites in poorer condition. International conservation cooperation that protects African wintering sites is as important to UK osprey welfare as nest protection.