Return of the Ospreys
For the first time in at least 200 years, ospreys are nesting and are believed to have had chicks in Northumberland. A long-term project to encourage the iconic species to return to the region has resulted in a pair of birds nesting on a platform in Kielder Water & Forest Park – a major breakthrough in efforts to help the species. Kielder Water & Forest Park boasts England’s largest woodland on the Forestry Commission estate and Europe’s biggest man-made lake – making it ideal territory for ospreys, which feed on fish and build their nests (or eyries) high in the tree tops.
“It’s hard to overstate the significance of this development,” says Elisabeth Rowark, Director of the Kielder Partnership. “Seeing ospreys nesting in Kielder Water & Forest Park is absolutely thrilling. Now its fingers’ crossed that the nest is a success and a brood of healthy chicks take to the wing next month.”
The ospreys are now being watched closely by ornithologists and rangers, as they believe that a change in the behaviour of the adult birds in recent days indicates that eggs have hatched. The female was spending long periods on the nest, presumably incubating eggs, but now she is much more active. If the ospreys do successfully rear chicks, they will almost certainly return next year, potentially helping to establish a population in Kielder Water & Forest Park. Tom Dearnley, Forestry Commission Ecologist, explains: “Kielder has been on the flight path of migrating ospreys for some time. But in recent years birds have been seen more frequently, prompting us to erect the nesting platforms. Our chief goal now is to help the birds rear their family as they are probably first-time parents.”
“Breeding ospreys have been the missing piece in the natural history jigsaw of northern Europe’s largest man-made lake,” adds Northumbrian Water’s Leisure Manager, Kevin Hudson. “The wide expanse of Kielder Water’s 2,400 acres and 200,000 million litres is ideal territory for the ospreys which are the expert fishers of the bird world. There is a natural population of native brown trout in the reservoir and our additional regular stockings of rainbow trout throughout the fishing season, which coincides with the ospreys breeding season, has persuaded the birds to stay. I’m sure our anglers are delighted to share the plentiful supply of trout with these majestic fish hawks.”
PUBLIC VIEWING
Because public interest in the birds will be high, the Kielder Partnership, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the RSPB have set up a viewing point at the Mounces Forestry Commission car park, off the C200 just west of Leaplish Waterside Park and open daily from Friday 12 June. To protect the ospreys, the vantage point has been established at a two-mile distance from the nest – binoculars will be needed to pin-point the general area. Please note that close-up views will not be possible.
At weekends and other times, volunteers will be on hand to explain more about this magnificent bird. They will also bring along powerful telescopes to provide better views of the nesting site.
For more information visit www.visitkielder.com or check times with the RSPB on 0191 2568200.
- This entry was posted on: Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
- Filed under: Latest News, News
- Tags: birds, conservation, forest, Kielder, northumberland, ospreys, reintroduction, Wildlife
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