Delight as osprey returns to nest

Thousands of people have seen the ospreys on the Internet

One of a nesting pair of ospreys has returned to the Lake District in Cumbria.

Ospreys have proved a regular treat for birdwatchers at Bassenthwaite over the last four years.

Experts say the male bird flew to the UK from West Africa, after spending the winter there.

In 2003, the Bassenthwaite Osprey project near Keswick, saw two chicks born to the pair of birds.

Experts from the Royal Society for the protection of Birds (RSPB) hope the female bird may also be on her way to Cumbria.

Graham Prest from the Lake District Osprey Project said: "These birds are very regular at coming back every year."

Viewing platform

The ospreys have been in west Africa where they spend the winter in Senegal and Gambia and then fly back for a hazardous journey through the Bay of Biscay and to Britain.

An osprey chick was raised in the area in 2001 and there are hopes it may return for the first time. It was ringed before it left.

In 2003 the project saw two chicks born but only one of the newborn birds survived.

Mr Prest said: "The big thing we hope for this year is that the first chick in 2001 may be back up in Cumbria this year, so we are keeping our eyes open for that."

The female bird has a coloured ring on one of her legs and they will be able to tell the male by his plumage.

The viewing platform will be open from 1000 BST to 1700 BST and a web cam will also be set up.