Rare Eastern Osprey spotted nesting near Georges River

Spotted nesting near the Georges River were a pair of rare and endangered Eastern Ospreys.

National Parks and Wildlife Service regional manager Gary Dunnett says the sighting is great news for the species because they are not known to breed this far south.

Their sighting may indicate they are repopulating a greater area of their range.

“The Eastern Osprey is quite magnificent to see in flight but despite a wingspan of up to 1.7 metres, they are still much smaller than the White bellied sea eagle,” Mr Dunnett said.

“The species is uncommon to rare or absent from closely settled parts of south-eastern Australia so for this part of Sydney to have a breeding pair in the area is really very special.”

He says the birds favour coastal areas where they hunt for fish to feed their growing brood.

“The fact that an apex predator such as Ospreys are nesting is also a great sign about the environmental health of the Georges River system,” Mr Dunnett said.