Ospreys were extinct as a UK breeding species for much of the 20th century but have recovered through successful reintroduction and protection of nest sites. Their welfare depends on continued site protection and reducing persecution.
Osprey welfare is primarily threatened by illegal persecution and disturbance at nest sites. Despite full legal protection, nest robberies for egg collecting remain a concern, and occasional illegal shooting occurs. Nest disturbance during the incubation and early chick-rearing periods can cause nest abandonment, resulting in total breeding failure and the death of eggs or chicks. Conservation wardens and remote camera monitoring at many key sites have significantly reduced disturbance impacts. Individual osprey welfare during the annual migration is also significant: the 5,000-kilometre journey to West African wintering grounds involves crossing the Sahara, negotiating food availability at stopover sites, and avoiding persecution in some countries. Birds fitted with satellite tags have provided extraordinary insights into individual variation in migration routes and the welfare challenges birds face during this journey.