A pair of ospreys have laid their first egg in a nest near Talybont-on-Usk.

Wildlife experts believe it is the first osprey egg laid in the Usk Valley for at least 250 years.

Ospreys were wiped out in Wales in the 19th century as a result of persecution and habitat loss. But the species has been making a comeback thanks to conservation efforts.

Usk Valley Ospreys’ Chair, Andy King said: “It’s fantastic to see this pair of ospreys thriving and now laying their first egg in our part of Wales.

“It had to happen by the end of April to give the parents a whole season to raise the chicks, so time was running out.

“Although nothing is certain, we are hoping for another one or two eggs in the next few days.

“Ospreys are among the most impressive and rarest birds of prey in Wales and the UK as a whole.

“The fact that this pair have established a nest and laid an egg shows the species has a chance of making further progress.”

The ospreys arrived, defended a territory and began building this nest near Talybont-on-Usk in 2023 – the first time the species had nested so far south in Wales for 200 years.

Both adults are unringed but it is thought they are a young pair in their first full nesting year. Since they arrived, other ospreys have also been seen in the area.

The species is recognised as a Schedule 1 bird with full protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it a criminal offence to disturb them or their nests.

Usk Valley Ospreys gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the landowner Welsh Government, their farming tenant Charles Weston and Wildlife Windows in providing the right conditions for this pair and delivering them to the public by live-streaming.