Osprey return in Baden-Württemberg boosts conservation hopes

The return of Fuchur, a female osprey born in 2024, to the Upper Rhine region has raised hopes for the recovery of the species in Baden-Württemberg. The bird, which was previously unaccounted for after being spotted in Spain's Ebro Delta in August 2024, has been seen multiple times in the Saalbachniederung nature reserve.

Daniel Schmidt-Rothmund of Nabu Baden-Württemberg suggests this return could be a breakthrough for the local population. Since female ospreys choose the nesting sites, her presence increases the likelihood of establishing a new breeding pair in the region. This follows the 2023 milestone where an osprey pair successfully bred in the state for the first time in over 115 years.