Poole Harbour osprey breeding project finds fourth egg

The fourth egg was laid on Wednesday and took researchers "by surprise"

A fourth osprey egg laid as part of a breeding project has surprised researchers.

Female bird CJ7 and male 022 are the only breeding pair of ospreys on England's south coast.

They are being monitored by the Poole Harbour Osprey Project and their first egg was laid on 15 April.

Researchers say female ospreys "typically" lay three eggs, so they were "taken by surprise" to find the fourth.

In a statement, Birds of Poole Harbour explained CJ7 had been laying eggs at three-day intervals and the latest was laid on Wednesday at 19:15 BST.

They said: "If all of the eggs hatch, there will then be the challenge of providing food for the four young.

"There is certainly enough fish available for them in Poole Harbour, but it will be extra work for 022, who will be doing all the hunting for the chicks and CJ7 until around July."

The project is expecting the eggs to hatch around 21 May, as incubation typically takes between 36 and 40 days and the hatching, like the laying, will be staggered.

This is the third time the pair have nested at a secluded site in Careys Secret Garden.

The statement continued: "Last year the pair did an exceptional job at caring for the three chicks they raised, so we have high hopes for success this season."

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