Incubation of the eggs has gone on as usual today.

For such a large bird osprey eggs are not as big as you might think – they are about the size of a large duck egg. A normal sized clutch would be 3, or unusually 4. In general they are a cream colour overlaid with rich rust red spots of pigment. It is these beautiful markings on the shell which make them so desirable to egg collectors, as every egg is different and within a single clutch can range in colour from nearly pure red, to an intricate pattern of speckles, to a virtually unspotted cream. It was largely the Victorian mania for collecting complete clutches that brought the osprey to extinction in this country. (Ospreys were also shot by gamekeepers, their white head feathers were used for trimming ladies’ hats and a desirable mantelpiece decoration would have been a stuffed osprey in a glass case.)

The Victorians had some excuse for their destructive practices as no-one envisaged at that time that nature could ‘run out’. Today there is no such excuse but there are still those individuals who take and collect rare wild birds eggs, for no other reason it seems but wanting to possess something that others have not.

Because of this our team of dedicated Protection staff and volunteers continue to undertake the constant 24 hour watch, spending many long hours in frankly, very uncomfortable conditions. Those who have visited will have noticed some Forest Road closures on Dodd. Adhering to these is part of the way we can all help protect our birds and ensure they are not disturbed. Thank you to all of you who have cheerfully used and enjoyed the alternative routes around Dodd fell.

The history of the ospreys’ extinction in the UK shows so clearly how humans have the power to destroy so very easily. But with Visitors, Local Communities and Osprey Projects working together across the country we are winning the battle to replace the natural heritage we have lost. Specifically, for a small corner of England enough people care to ensure one pair of birds –No-ring and Mrs. - are nesting this year again, in safety.