Rare osprey egg a sign species is 'fighting back'
A rare pair of ospreys have laid their first egg in mid-Wales, which conservationists believe is the first such egg in the area for at least 250 years.
It was laid in a nest near Talybont-on-Usk, near Brecon, Powys, and is a sign the "rare species is fighting back", said conservation group Usk Valley Ospreys.
The species was wiped out in Wales in the 19th century due to persecution and habitat loss, but has been making a comeback in recent years due to conservation efforts.
"Although nothing is certain, we are hoping for another one or two eggs in the next few days," said Andy King, of Usk Valley Ospreys.
Ospreys reunite in Wales for third year together
Osprey finds new lovebird and set to become dad
The ospreys began building their nest in 2023 - the first time the species has nested so far south in Wales for 200 years, according to the group.
Although both adults are unringed, it is believed they are young and in their first full nesting year.
Since their arrival, other ospreys have been seen in the area.
Mr King said the couple were running out of time to lay their egg, as it had to happen before the end of April "to give the parents a whole season to raise the chicks".
"The fact that this pair have established a nest and laid an egg shows the species has a chance of making further progress," he said, adding that it was "great news for everyone who cares about our wildlife".
The fish-eating birds used to be widely distributed across the British Isles, but their numbers declined centuries ago due to illegal killing and egg theft.
Now they are a Schedule 1 species, meaning they have the highest level of protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is a criminal offence to disturb them or their nests.
The species remains on the Amber List because of its historical decline and low breeding numbers.
Drone suspected of disturbing osprey nest
Charity gives up hope osprey will ever return
Osprey pair lay first egg of the season
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Why King Charles Wore a Black Armband on His Uniform at Trooping the Colour
King Charles added a black armband to his Trooping the Colour uniform to honor the victims of the Air India plane crash on June 12 A moment of silence was also incorporated into the program at Horse Guards Parade A Buckingham Palace spokesperson tells people the adjustments were added "a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy"King Charles paid a solemn tribute during Trooping the Colour by wearing a black armband with his Coldstream Guards uniform. The gesture, seen during the royal procession on June 14, honored the victims of the London-bound Air India plane crash that occurred just two days earlier on June 12. Buckingham Palace announced the uniform change the day before the King's official birthday celebration, explaining that the black armband would be worn by the monarch, Prince William, Royal Mews staff in livery, and mounted officers participating in the parade. The tribute extended beyond dress. After King Charles inspected the troops and took his place on the dais at Horse Guards Parade, a moment of silence was observed before the sounding of the Last Post — a moving addition to the historic military ceremony. The adjustments were added "a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told PEOPLE. On June 12, an Air India flight heading to London's Gatwick Airport crashed minutes after takeoff in Ahmedabad in western India. CNN said that at least 290 people have now been pronounced dead, with a sole survivor (identified as a British national) saying he doesn't know "how" he survived. The King released a statement shortly after the crash to express his sympathies and the changes to the Trooping programming were announced a day later. The royal family has previously shifted things at Trooping to honor victims following tragedy, and a minute of silence was incorporated into the parade following the Grenfell Tower fire disaster in London in 2017 The King is being celebrated at Trooping the Colour, which honors the monarch's birthday each year. While the celebration is taking place on Saturday, June 14, the King won't actually mark his 77th birthday until Nov. 14. The five regiments of the Foot Guards rotate who presents their flag at Trooping the Colour each year, and the Coldstream Guards will have the honor at this year's celebration. The oldest serving regiment in the British Army and part of the Household Division, the Coldstream Guards are tasked with protecting the monarchy. They are also a military unit of which the King is Colonel-in-Chief, giving him an extra special role in this year's event. More than 1,300 soldiers of the Household Division and King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery are participating in this year's Trooping the Colour, which will also feature 300-plus musicians from the Massed Bands and 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards, according to the King's Birthday Parade website. The festive celebration dates back to a different King Charles: King Charles II, who ruled from 1660 to 1685. In 1978, the parade was officially designated as the birthday celebration of the sovereign, and began to take place every year after George III took the throne in 1760. King Charles experienced his first Trooping the Colour as monarch in June 2023, when he participated in the event on horseback. The King arrived on a horse named Noble while carrying out his ceremonial duties as Colonel-in-Chief of the seven regiments of the Household Division of the British Army. The move brought back a tradition last carried out by his mother, Queen Elizabeth. The late monarch rode on her horse Burmese during Trooping the Colour in 1986, after which she arrived by carriage. In 2024, amid his cancer diagnosis and treatment, King Charles took part in the festivities in a horse-drawn carriage rather than riding on horseback. He opted to ride in a coach again this year for his third Trooping the Colour as monarch. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! King Charles attended his first-ever Trooping the Colour in 1951 when he was just three years old. That year, the ceremony was in celebration of his grandfather, King George VI. At the time, Charles arrived in a carriage with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and his aunt, Princess Margaret, while Queen Elizabeth rode horseback in the procession. Read the original article on People
14-06-2025
King Charles III marks Air India tragedy with moment of silence during annual birthday parade
LONDON -- King Charles III and other members of the royal family in uniform wore black armbands and observed a moment of silence during his annual birthday parade Saturday as the monarch commemorated those who died in this week's Air India plane crash. Charles requested the symbolic moves 'as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy,' Buckingham Palace said. An Air India flight from the northwestern city of Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground. The plane was carrying 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. One man survived. In addition to being Britain's head of state, Charles is the head of the Commonwealth, an organization of independent states that includes India and Canada. The monarch's annual birthday parade, known as Trooping the Colour, is a historic ceremony filled with pageantry and military bands in which the king reviews his troops on Horse Guards Parade adjacent to St. James' Park in central London. The military ceremony dates back to a time when flags of the battalion, known as colours, were "trooped,'' or shown, to soldiers in the ranks so they could recognize them. All members of the royal family in uniform wore black armbands. The moment of silence occurred while the king was on the dais after reviewing the troops. Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, held a similar moment of silence in 2017 when Trooping the Colour took place three days after a fire ripped through the Grenfell Tower apartment bloc in west London, killing 72 people.
Hamilton Spectator
14-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
King Charles III marks Air India tragedy with moment of silence during annual birthday parade
LONDON (AP) — King Charles III and other members of the royal family in uniform wore black armbands and observed a moment of silence during his annual birthday parade Saturday as the monarch commemorated those who died in this week's Air India plane crash. Charles requested the symbolic moves 'as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy,' Buckingham Palace said. An Air India flight from the northwestern city of Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground. The plane was carrying 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. One man survived. In addition to being Britain's head of state, Charles is the head of the Commonwealth, an organization of independent states that includes India and Canada. The monarch's annual birthday parade, known as Trooping the Colour, is a historic ceremony filled with pageantry and military bands in which the king reviews his troops on Horse Guards Parade adjacent to St. James' Park in central London. The military ceremony dates back to a time when flags of the battalion, known as colours, were 'trooped,'' or shown, to soldiers in the ranks so they could recognize them. All members of the royal family in uniform wore black armbands. The moment of silence occurred while the king was on the dais after reviewing the troops. Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, held a similar moment of silence in 2017 when Trooping the Colour took place three days after a fire ripped through the Grenfell Tower apartment bloc in west London, killing 72 people. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
