Osprey in flight (credit: Peter Cairns/2020VISION)
Ranworth
History-making ospreys
The osprey pair have returned to Ranworth Broad and Marshes in late March for their fourth consecutive year at the reserve. In 2025, they successfully fledged two chicks, making it the first known site in the region to make a home for breeding osprey in hundreds of years.
We’re thrilled to see them back and hope they raise another family this season. For the first time, a camera has been installed on the nest to follow their progress.
The pair are already settling in, feathering their nest, hunting for fish, and showing early breeding behaviour. See for yourself below...
Keep our ospreys on air!
With thanks for support from NWT corporate partners, MelBek.
Keeping our birds safe
The camera was installed before the ospreys returned to Ranworth. While the birds are present, staff will not return to the site, ensuring the ospreys are not disturbed.
Natural England and the BTO were consulted, and all staff involved hold the appropriate licenses.
For further information, view our FAQs below.
Camera highlights
Osprey camera highlight, 2026 29th of March (pair on the nest)
Osprey camera highlight 2026, 29th of March (attempted frisky behaviour)
Keep our ospreys on air!
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to set up a camera on a nature reserve?
Yes - where required, the relevant authorities have been consulted. In this case, both Natural England and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) were consulted, and all staff involved hold the appropriate licences. Osprey cameras are used across the country and we drew on this knowledge base in the planning phase.
Why have you installed a live osprey camera?
The live camera allows people to observe ospreys up close without disturbing them. It helps raise awareness of these incredible birds, supports education and conservation, and gives researchers and the public a rare insight into osprey behaviour during the breeding season.
Do you intervene if something happens to the chicks or adults?
No, we do not intervene. The camera is for observation only. Ospreys are wild birds, and natural events such as weather, predation, or food shortages are part of their life cycle. Intervening could cause more harm and is illegal under wildlife protection laws.
How many eggs might there be?
Most osprey nests contain 2–4 eggs, typically laid a few days apart. Not all eggs always hatch, and not all chicks survive, this is normal in the wild.
Why does one parent leave the nest so often?
One adult (usually the male) frequently leaves the nest to fish and bring food back, while the other stays to incubate the eggs or protect the chicks. As the chicks grow, both parents may leave more often to meet the increased demand for food.
I can’t see the feed/the video isn’t working?
If the video isn’t working, it may be due to a temporary technical issue or internet connectivity problems. Try refreshing the page, checking your internet connection, or coming back later.
Jimmy King
Guided wildlife boat trips
Experience the amazing wildlife of Ranworth Broad from the water on one of our daily guided wildlife boat trips. Discover an amazing variety of habitats and watch carefully for kingfishers, otters, marsh harriers - perhaps even an osprey!