STAFF at Dyfi Osprey Project have said “it hurts like crazy” after an eight-week-old osprey sadly passed away, just days after she fell off a perch.

Just before midnight on Sunday, 17 July, Ceri, a female fledging osprey at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve, near Machynlleth, fell off a larch perch near the nest, and although she spent 12 hours on the ground, she managed to make it back to the perch by herself, raising the hopes of staff.

But staff became concerned with Ceri’s welfare after she showed no interest in eating following the fall — ospreys get all their water from their food — and on Wednesday night, Ceri sadly passed away.

Emyr Evans, Dyfi Osprey Project manager, said: “At just before midnight young Ceri lost her battle for life.

“She was standing tall facing the wind for much of the evening and appeared to be getting stronger when she suddenly seemed to make a turn, raised her tail in the air and stopped breathing. It was three days to the minute almost from when she fell off the larch perch.

“We’ll have to wait and see what will happen to Ceri’s body - Glesni will probably remove it eventually once the filial bond between them breaks down.”

Mr Evans added that losing ospreys “does not get any easier”, despite having lost chicks in the past, and said the staff will now concentrate on ensuring Ceri’s brother survives.

Watch the tale of Ceri’s last few days in the video below