Second osprey pair breed successfully at Kielder Water

A second pair of ospreys have successfully reared a chick in 2011.

July 2011. A second pair of ospreys has produced at least one chick in 62,000 hectare Kielder Water & Forest Park - and the news is being hailed as a conservation breakthrough.

The Northumbrian wilderness becomes the only location in England for over 170 years where more than a single pair of naturally re-colonising ospreys have bred successfully at the same time. The new birds have nested on an artificial platform erected by the Forestry Commission on top of a tall spruce tree.

Forest chiefs have worked with Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Northumbrian Water and the RSPB to create an osprey-friendly environment in Kielder - The latest news is a rich reward for their endeavours.

First osprey pair - 1 chick surviving
It has also emerged that Kielder's original osprey pair, which arrived in 2009 and became the first to breed in the North East for at least 200 years, have had a single chick this year - their seventh youngster in just three years.

Mum originally laid three eggs in May, but stormy weather during the crucial hatching period meant that the male could not hunt for fish to feed the first of his off-spring. But the third chick, born a few days later when the gales subsided, was more fortunate and has survived.

Elisabeth Rowark, from the Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust, said: "Getting a second pair of ospreys breeding in Kielder Water & Forest Park is fantastic news and hopefully heralds the return of this magnificent bird in even greater numbers. It's a tremendous boost for everyone who loves this stunning place and its wonderful wildlife. Fingers' are now crossed that the youngsters fledge from both nests."

The new pair of ospreys have used an artificial nesting platform.

Artificial nest platform
Philip Spottiswood, Chief Wildlife Ranger with the Forestry Commission, explained: "In the spring we sent in our tree climbers to erect a more secure artificial platform on the birds' chosen tree. They took to it straight away and have piled it high with home comforts like moss and twigs. Even so we have kept our distance and have used telescopes to spy at least one chick in the nest. For the rangers involved it's like winning the jackpot."

Duncan Hutt, Head of Land Management at the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, added: "Having a single pair of ospreys at Kielder was great news - but it meant that the species was always vulnerable to unexpected events, such as this year's bad weather, or hazards on their 9,000 mile migration round trip. But with two breeding pairs the odds are lengthened that the bird is here to stay and make Kielder Water & Forest Park an English stronghold."