Ospreys breeding in Kielder Water & Forest Park

We are delighted to confirm a pair of adult ospreys nested in Kielder Water & Forest Park (summer 09) and successfully hatched three chicks. A long-term project to encourage the iconic species to return to the region struck gold with the pair of birds nesting on a platform specially erected for the purpose.

These migratory birds of prey were hunted to extinction in England by 1840 and in Scotland by 1916. They have been gradually returning since the 1950s and were awarded the highest level of legal protection against shooting and egg collecting in 1981. Although there are now 150 breeding pairs in Scotland, the population in England was restricted to Rutland Water and the Lake District….until now!

The historic brood of three chicks – the first born in Northumberland for at least 200 years – and their parents set off on a 3,500-mile migration to sub-Saharan Africa. It is hoped the adult ospreys will return to the same nest this year (2010) and plans are being made to erect a camera to allow visitors to enjoy unique views of the birds.

Kielder Partnership would like to thank the Forestry Commission, Northumberland National Park, Northumbrian Water, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for making this possible.