The fourth egg of the season was laid on Tuesday 22nd April at 13:23, making a complete clutch for the year. Ospreys will typically lay a clutch of three eggs, with only around 1% of Osprey nests estimated to hold four eggs. This is the second year that the pair CJ7 and 022 have produced four eggs, and after the successful fledging and migration of all four chicks last year, we’re hopeful for another great season.

CJ7 standing over her clutch of four eggs

The prior eggs were each laid 3 days apart, with the first laid on the evening of the 13th April. We anticipate hatching to take place from the 20th May onwards, with incubation usually lasting an average of 37 days, often with the first egg taking slightly longer. Both CJ7 and 022 will incubate the eggs, and CJ7 will stay close to the nest at all times, with male 022 doing all of the hunting for the pair.

We’re running our Carey Osprey Tours in partnership with Careys Secret Garden throughout the season, providing views of the nesting birds at a safe distance and the opportunity to learn more about the project. These tours are available by pre-booking only, and we ask that people do not turn up to Careys Secret Garden and attempt to view the nest outside of these tours as it risks disturbing the birds. All available dates up until mid-May can be found here on our website. You can also follow along with all the updates on the LIVE webcams here as we await the next egg to be laid!