Successful re-establishment Eagle nesting in Switzerland after 112 years

After 112 years, the osprey has returned to nest in Switzerland for the first time since 1914, marking a successful reintroduction effort. A pair of ospreys has settled into a nest in the Three Lakes region, with three young birds hatching in early spring. The achievement was announced by Wendy Strahm, coordinator of the reintroduction project led by the Western Swiss Bird Protection Association “Nos Oiseaux.” The location of the nest remains undisclosed to protect the breeding site’s tranquility. The reintroduction initiative began over a decade ago, following extensive planning and collaboration among conservationists, ornithologists, and local authorities. Since 2015, the association has relocated 66 osprey chicks, mainly sourced from Norway and Germany, into enclosures near Sugiez in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. These fledglings were raised in aviaries without human contact before being released. This method, known as “translocation,” has been successfully applied elsewhere in Europe since 1996. One of these translocated birds, a male marked with a numbered blue ring, has returned to the Three Lakes area to breed. Ospreys are highly territorial birds with a wingspan of up to 170 centimeters. Once they reach maturity at around three to four years, they instinctively return to their birthplace to nest. The reintroduction project relies on this innate behavior. The male, identified as Diawling, was released in 2020 and has since become a key figure in the success story. His female counterpart, whose origin is unknown, was previously observed in the summer of 2025 but was not yet mature enough to reproduce. However, the team remained hopeful she would return the following year. In the winter, both birds spent time in Africa, a common migratory pattern for ospreys. Upon returning, they found the nest prepared by volunteers of the association on one of thirty platforms constructed in the Three Lakes region. Despite unusually cold and rainy conditions during the spring, which often leads to high mortality rates among the third chick, all three offspring survived. The survival rate is considered remarkable given the challenges faced. The next critical phase for the young ospreys will be their migration to Africa, expected to take place by late August. Statistics indicate that approximately 80 percent of juvenile raptors do not survive the journey. If the birds manage to complete the flight, they could return to the Three Lakes region within two years. Their eventual return would signify a lasting success for the conservation efforts undertaken by the association and its partners. The osprey's return represents more than just a biological milestone, it symbolizes the effectiveness of long-term ecological restoration projects. With careful planning, community involvement, and scientific oversight, the species has once again established itself in a habitat it had vacated for over a century. As the young birds prepare for their journey, the hope is that they will continue the cycle of life, ensuring the osprey’s presence in Switzerland for generations to come.