Rare osprey sighted at Panshanger Park

Wildlife enthusiasts hope fish-eating bird of prey will eventually stop and breed in southern Britain

AN osprey has been sighted at Panshanger Park in Hertfordshire, giving hope to wildlife enthusiasts that the bird will one day stop and breed in southern England.

Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK, who own and manage the Park and operate a sand and gravel quarry on site, installed an artificial nest site at Panshanger in 2011.

The nesting pole is one of four installed across the county, designed to tempt ospreys to stop and breed.

Panshanger Park provides the perfect habitat for the fish-eating bird of prey, with the river Mimram and lakes offering plenty of feeding opportunities.

Richard Millican, Lafarge restoration manager – south, said: ‘We are delighted that an osprey stopped off on its way back to Africa, following the summer season in Scotland. We hope it will bring a mate back in future to become a breeding pair.'

Lafarge work closely with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Hertfordshire County Council and the Environment Agency as part of a management committee for Panshanger Park.

Tim Hill, conservation manager with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said: ‘Located in the Mimram Valley Living Landscape area, Panshanger Park provides a perfect habitat for ospreys as they migrate to and from Africa.

‘The lakes and river provide food in the form of fish and the surrounding trees provide places where the birds can eat and rest. By providing an artificial nest for the birds, we hope that a pair will eventually settle and breed at Panshanger.’