Rangers watch out for return of breeding ospreys to forest

Rangers in a forest are scanning the skies for the return of a pair of ospreys.

The birds raised three chicks on a specially-built nesting platform in Kielder Forest last summer, the first time in 200 years ospreys had nested successfully in Northumberland.

It is hoped the birds will return to the same eyrie when they return from sub-Saharan Africa, where they migrate for the winter.

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Forestry Commission rangers have built a new nest on the platform the birds used last year, a the top of a 60ft fir at a secret location deep within the 62,000 hectare (155,000 acre) forest.

Forestry Commission ecologist Tom Dearnley said the male was likely to be the first to return, some time in late March, but nothing could be taken for granted, he said.

"The epic 5,000-mile journey these birds make is quite breathtaking, but also daunting and there are many risks which have to be negotiated.

"But fingers crossed they will make it back and the male will soon be scouting out the nest site in Kielder Water & Forest Park.

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"The female generally follows a few days later and providing things go to plan, they'll re-ignite their romance with an aerial courtship display and settle down to rear young."

The forest is on the shore of northern Europe's biggest man-made lake, Kielder Water, which makes it the ideal territory for the fish eating ospreys.