Ospreys in Cadiz Province - a short update

Osprey - breeding site on the Embalse de Barbate April 2024

In recent years Ospreys have increased both as breeding birds and a wintering species in Cadiz Province.  Their recolonisation as a breeding species was assisted by both a successful introduction programme and the proliferation of reservoirs (embalses) in recent decades. In 2009 Liz and I were fortunate to be shown the site where young birds were being 'hacked' into the wild by our good friend Luis-Mi Garrido Padillo. 

Luis-Mi putting out food for Ospreys - Embalse de Barbate 2009

Breeding Ospreys are now easy to see on many reservoirs in the province and are now a familiar sight on coastal wetlands on passage and in winter.  The results of the most recent survey of wintering Ospreys in Iberia have just been published. It found that just over 40% of Iberia's wintering Ospreys were found in Andalucia (and another 40% in Portugal) and, of these, the majority were found in Cadiz Province. Full details of this survey (in English and Spanish) can be found here. ​