More osprey homes being built in Kielder Park

BIRDS’ EYE VIEW: Wildlife ranger Paul Pickett on top of one of the existing osprey nesting platforms in Kielder

Hope that eyries will encourage youngsters to return

February 2011:The Forestry Commission is to erect three more artificial osprey nesting platforms in Kielder Water & Forest Park. Over the past two years six ospreys have being born and have fledged successfully in the 62,000 hectare (155,000 acre) wilderness using a man-made nest, making Kielder Forest only the second location in England where the bird has recolonised naturally after becoming extinct in the country.

Buoyed by this achievement, the push is now on offer more safe osprey nesting sites in Northumberland. Tom Dearnley, Forestry Commission Ecologist, said: ‘Last year another male osprey turned up in Kielder and tried to breed with the resident female while her mate was away fishing. However, ospreys generally bond for life and she quickly disabused the interloper of any romantic notions. But the newcomer's arrival has added to our optimism.'

Lone male is in search of a mate
The habitat of wood and water at Kielder is perfect for ospreys and experts say there is plenty of room for more ospreys to settle and raise young. The lone male seen this year could return and strike lucky in his search for a mate.

Tom Dearnley added: ‘The first of the Kielder born birds are likely to return from southern climes next year, providing they have kept out of harm's way. The following year they may start to breed. 

ONCE EXTINCT IN ENGLAND: Osprey are now breeding in Northumberland.

'There is no guarantee they will come back to Kielder, although males could have a stronger instinct to come back to their birth place. Having ready-made nests will be a powerful incentive.'

Ospreys erect their nests - or eyries - high in tree tops and one of the new manmade versions will require the top to be lopped off a Sitka spruce. Made of wood, each nest is securely fastened to branches by tree climbing wildlife rangers and spread with vegetation such as bracken and moss.

Currently there are two nest sites in the forest, one of which is occupied.