Maiden flight for osprey chick

The ospreys nested at Bassenthwaite Lake

The remaining osprey chick hatched in the Lake District has taken its first flight, experts have revealed.

The chick was one of two born to a nesting pair of birds at Bassenthwaite lake, near Keswick.

The second is thought to have died.

The surviving chick's maiden flight took place just before midday on Thursday and was watched by delighted visitors to the nesting site near Keswick.

The chick's first flight was also watched live on a giant video wall at the Forestry Commission's Whinlatter Visitor Centre.

The adult ospreys and their chicks have become a star tourist attraction in Cumbria, and around 70,000 visits have been made to the two public viewing sites run by The Lake District Osprey Project.

The project is a partnership between The Forestry Commission, the Lake District National Park Authority and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

International interest

Graeme Prest of the Forestry Commission, said: "This is fantastic news and we are thrilled that another young osprey has successfully flown from this special nest.

"We are delighted that so many people have been able to enjoy watching the ospreys."

Pete Barron of the Lake District National Park Authority added: "This is great news for the Lake District, as these birds continue to attract local, national and international interest and support."

Bill Kenmir of the RSPB said: "The successful return of ospreys to Lakeland is a tribute to the hard work of all the volunteers and staff involved in this project.

"We are grateful to them all for their support and dedication and thank everyone who has helped by backing the project."

The pair of ospreys first nested at Bassenthwaite Lake in 2001 as the result of a natural recolonisation of England and they were the first recorded pair to breed in Lakeland for at least 150 years.

Last year the pair successfully raised two chicks, and the Project partners are delighted that the birds returned to nest again this year.