Although in the UK the osprey population has doubled during the 1990s, ospreys remain the fourth rarest bird of prey in the UK. Their eggs, usually whole clutches, are stolen by collectors. This has slowed the increase in population and is the single largest human factor affecting breeding ospreys.

There is no shortage of suitable habitat in Scotland, with plenty of lochs and estuaries for them to feed and trees for nesting. However, if water quality deteriorates, a reduction in fish could have a dramatic effect on the number of young birds raised.

As ospreys migrate, they are vulnerable to habitat changes across southern Europe and Africa, and risk being shot by hunters.

The increase in ospreys in Scotland is one of the UK's great bird conservation success stories the last century. The success is thanks largely to landowners, farmers, foresters and others who work in the countryside and who keep a close eye on 'their' ospreys. Nests are monitored regularly by the Osprey Study Group and additional measures, such as CCTV, are deployed at some nests.

Everyone can play a part in making sure that ospreys are left to nest in peace. Some ospreys nest on nature reserves, such as Abernethy Forest, where the visitors to the reserve make an important contribution to the local economy. In fact Boat of Garten is called The Osprey Village and the birds have brought millions of pounds to local businesses.