Rutland Osprey Project Mourns Loss of 3R6

Rutland Osprey Project Mourns Loss of 3R6

The Rutland Osprey Project is in mourning following the tragic death of juvenile osprey 3R6. The project, which has been a beacon of conservation success, shared the somber news today, prompting an outpouring of support from its dedicated followers.

The incident unfolded last night, July 6, 2025, under challenging conditions. 3R6 was observed taking off from the nest. Shortly after, a splash was heard, and both adult female Maya and another chick, 3R8, were seen looking in the direction of the disturbance.

Ten minutes later, with 3R5 and 3R8 remaining on the nest, Maya took flight from her perch, circling the nest. It was at this point that 3R6 was spotted in the water, attempting to make its way towards the shore.

Due to the difficult nighttime conditions and a strong desire to avoid disturbing the other ospreys—particularly 3R8, who has not yet fledged—the project team made the difficult decision not to intervene overnight.

At first light this morning, a search was conducted. It was with profound sadness that Tim Mackrill, a key figure in the project, located 3R6 deceased on the shoreline. A wound was observed on the osprey's left side, just below the neck.

The Rutland Osprey Project is now working to arrange a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of 3R6's death. This loss is a significant blow to the project, which has meticulously monitored and protected the osprey population at Rutland Water for years. The community awaits further updates as the project seeks to understand this tragic event.