Wild Osprey Winter Migration and Atlantic Welfare

Ospreys that breed in the UK migrate to West Africa for winter, facing threats during migration and on wintering grounds that complement the welfare concerns of their breeding season.

Key Facts

UK ospreys migrate to West Africa, primarily to rivers, lakes, and estuaries in Senegal and The Gambia
Satellite tracking has revealed migration routes across Europe and the Sahara with specific stopover sites
Ospreys face illegal persecution including shooting and pole trapping in some Mediterranean countries
Habitat degradation on West African wintering grounds reduces fish availability and food security
UK breeding osprey populations have grown from near-extinction to over 200 pairs through protection and reintroduction

Welfare Considerations

Migrating ospreys face welfare threats across a 5,000-mile journey from UK breeding sites to West African wintering grounds. Illegal shooting and trapping during Mediterranean migration causes direct mortality and injury. Poisoned fish from aquaculture treatments can injure or kill ospreys consuming them on wintering grounds. Drought reducing water levels on African wintering lakes concentrates fish in smaller areas initially but ultimately reduces availability. Individual ospreys tracked by satellite allow welfare monitoring at an individual level unprecedented in wildlife conservation — loss of signal over persecution hotspots provides direct evidence of illegal killing, informing targeted advocacy.

What You Can Do

Support Osprey Leadership Foundation and Osprey Watch monitoring and anti-persecution programmes
Engage with international campaigns against illegal raptor persecution along Mediterranean migration routes
Donate to organisations protecting West African wetland wintering habitat for migratory raptors
Report osprey persecution to RSPB Investigations and Police Wildlife Crime Units