Lake District North West

The Return of the Ospreys to Bassenthwaite Lake

After their Winter holidays in Africa, last years' popular pair of Ospreys returned to their nesting site on the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake. The pair proved to be a huge tourist attraction last year, raising people's spirits after the disappointment due to Foot and Mouth.

Their success of raising one chick from last year is said to be a first for Cumbria, and caused at least 25,000 people to flock to the Forestry Commission's specially-built lookout point at Dodd Wood, Keswick.

The male bird was the first to arrive in early April, closely followed by the female. They have already settled down to nest, much to the relief of the Protection Team, which is now on 24 hour guard, to stop any potential egg-nappers!! The Protection Team is part of the Lake District Osprey Project set up with the help of the Lake District National Park and the RSPB. They are also responsible for the Lookout Point at Dodd Wood, Keswick which is open every day between 10am and 5pm. Staff are available for any questions or help, and special telescopes are also on hand for close-up views of the birds.

Following last years' tourist boost, the Forestry Commission's Visitor Centre at Whinlatter has set up a 'Spy in the Nest Project' which relays live pictures from the nest. The Project is expected to start the week beginning 6th May 2002. In the meantime for the most up to date information you can visit the Lake District Osprey Project's website on www.ospreywatch.co.uk. 

Last Year's Success

The key to last year's success is hard work, not only by the Osprey parents, but also by human intervention. The Project is a culmination of several years work to encourage the Ospreys to nest back in the Lakes. This was achieved by the Forestry Commission and the National Park Authority erecting a number of artificial nesting platforms, and it was on one of these that the pair decided to nest and breed. Like most Osprey pairs, this pair have returned to the same site , and so hopes run high once again for more successful chick rearings.

Graeme Prest of the Forestry Commission says: "We are thrilled that the ospreys have again returned to northern England this Spring. This exciting news confirms that the re-colonisation of England by these superb birds is now underway. We hope they ill nest and delight the many visitors who are sure to be attracted to the Lakes to see them."

His words are also echoed by Bill Kenmir of the RSPB: "The arrival of these amazing birds back in the Lake District marks the start of a new chapter in the osprey success story."

To get a once in a life-time glimpse of these superb birds you can find Dodd Wood three miles north of Keswick off the A591, the follow the signposts for Mirehouse from the A66. 

The Lookout Points also cater for disabled people, and special arrangements can be made in advance by contacting the Project on 07899 818421.

Tourists wishing to watch the Ospreys are encouraged  to go to the specially-designed viewing sites at Dodd Wood or Whinlatter Visitor Centre, instead of risking disturbing the birds at other sites.

Some Osprey Facts:

• The osprey with its five-foot wing span is one of the largest British fish-eating birds.

• It was once thought extinct until its return to Scotland in the 1950's.

• To identify: Its head is mainly white with a speckled black crown and black eye stripe. Its body is mainly dark brown and white, with a band of buff streaks on its upper breast.

• The average number of eggs thought for each nesting pair of ospreys is usually three.

• They spend the Winter in Africa and usually return to northern parts of England each Spring to mate.

• Ospreys mainly eat fish and can catch and carry up to one kilogram of fish at any one time.

• Their feeding grounds can stretch to at least eight square miles.

• Ospreys leave Britain in Autumn and fly to West Africa. Usually the females are the first to leave, whilst the males remain to teach the young how to and where to fish. They then depart in late August, with the chicks following weeks later.

www.raptorresource.org

• For more Pictures ospreys nesting click here:

• Find out more with the RSPB UK Site.

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