Ospreys are returning to the Usk Valley…
Previously persecuted to the brink of extinction, these spectacular birds are now making a return to Wales.
Protecting one of the few breeding pairs in Wales
In 2023 a pair of ospreys built a magnificent nest at the top of an oak tree on Gilestone Farm, on the outskirts of Talybont on Usk. This is the first pair to successfully build a nest this far south in Wales for hundreds of years. Our group aims to make sure the ospreys are properly protected and to give the birds the best possible chance of thriving in their new home.
The nest is situated on Gilestone Farm, owned by Welsh Government. Following the arrival of the pair in 2023 the government moved quickly to protect the nest, to commission a conservation plan and more recently to install a nest cam. Both the government and the tenant farmer are to be commended for their positive approach.
In 2024 the pair returned to the nest and hopes were raised for a successful breeding. This, however, did not happen until 2025:-
BUILDING EXPECTATIONS
A NEW YEAR !! (and some new viewings)
Usk Valley Ospreys hope that 2026 is rewarding in so many ways for you personally, and ultimately for our pair of ospreys.
Over the next three months we shall be putting up on this website (www.uskvalleyospreys.org) selected video clips of the Talybont-on-Usk pair at various milestones in their first successful breeding season last year. The clips can be found at ‘View The Birds’ and by selecting ‘Archive Footage’.
We hope these clips will act as a reminder for what you may have enjoyed last summer and will ‘whet the appetite’ for what we hope will be more fascinating viewing from April 2026.
UVO are grateful to Wildlife Windows for extracting these short videos according to our guidelines.
About ospreys
Once a common sight in the UK, habitat loss and persecution led to the osprey’s extinction as a breeding bird in Wales and England in 1847. Find out more about these most impressive and rarest of birds.
Latest news
View the birds
View the ospreys from the publicly accessible viewing point.
How you can help
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Join us
As well as new members, we’re also looking for volunteers and organisers to, help run and administer the group, as well as those interested in becomg a trustee.
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Donate
We’re a small, volunteer-run organisation currently applying for charitable status. Donations of any amount are much appreciated.
