Eyes to the skies for the return of ospreys

The iconic birds have bred successfully in Northumberland every season since the species returned to the North East in 2009.

Following a record-breaking year in 2016, it is hoped that this year will see another exciting season for local residents and visitors alike.

Last year was the most successful breeding season since the return of the species, with 11 chicks fledging across the four nests.

The bird dubbed Yellow 37, who has inhabited Kielder’s Nest 2 site in past years, has historically been the first of the ospreys to return from migration in Africa. It is anticipated that he will arrive back at Kielder in the next week or so.

Once more, the arrivals will be viewable via osprey cams at the Forestry Commission’s Kielder Castle Visitor Centre and at Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Waterside.

Fans can also keep track of this year’s osprey season at www.kielderospreys.word press.com.

Kielder Osprey Watch is organised by Kielder Water and Forest Park Development Trust and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, with support from the RSPB. The partners are working hard to ensure that the ospreys are here to stay by maintaining a high quality habitat at Kielder and safeguarding and monitoring the nest site.

To post osprey sightings, visit facebook.com/kielder or twitter.com/visitkielder