Ospreys' return to Usk Valley sees support pole installed

South Wales Argus

20 hours ago

A wooden pole has been installed near a nest site in the Usk Valley to support the birds, thanks to the efforts of National Grid Electricity Distribution and the Usk Valley Ospreys group.
The perch is designed to give the male osprey a lookout point while the female incubates eggs, allowing the adult birds to safely monitor their nest and young.
Hannah Davies, team manager at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said: "We power the lives of people across South Wales, ensuring energy reaches the communities that need it every day.
"We are also committed to creating positive legacies in the communities we are proud to live and work in, which is why we were pleased to support the efforts to protect ospreys in Usk."
Extinct as a breeding bird in Wales since 1847 due to habitat loss and persecution, ospreys are now slowly returning.
The birds of prey are large, fish-eaters that breed in the UK during the summer and migrate to West Africa for the winter.
Andy King, acting chair and ornithologist at Usk Valley Ospreys, said: "Ospreys need a good place to nest that is protected and safe, so when a survey suggested that the oak our ospreys have been nesting in might not be strong enough, we were naturally concerned.
"Thanks to the support from National Grid Electricity Distribution, a telegraph pole was erected close to the current natural nest to host a potential replacement nest or a perch if needed.
"Given the charity relies on the generous help from volunteers and other organisations, it is grateful to National Grid Electricity Distribution for its assistance."
Ospreys typically mate for life and often return to the same nest for many years, making the stability and safety of their nesting site essential.
The Usk Valley Ospreys group works to protect and monitor the birds' return to the region.
A live video feed of the nest is available on the Usk Valley Ospreys website for those who want to follow the birds' progress.