Ospreys face emerging welfare threats from climate change affecting fish prey availability, nest flooding and altered migration timing. UK population recovery may be threatened by these compounding pressures.
Ospreys at nests during storm events can experience clutch loss from wave damage or nest structure failure. Pairs that lose eggs during incubation often do not re-lay, representing a total breeding season loss. Changes in fish behaviour and availability associated with warming lochs require ospreys to adapt foraging strategies in potentially poor body condition periods. The interaction of these pressures with ongoing recovery makes osprey a priority monitoring species.