Osprey pair return for 6th year

Thousands of people have seen the birds via a webcam

A pair of ospreys who have set up home in the Lake District every year since 2001 have been reunited, birdwatchers have confirmed.

The pair, who wear identity tags, have joined up again at Bassenthwaite Lake after a winter apart in Africa.

The birds have used the nest site since 2001 and have raised seven chicks.

Viewpoints giving people a chance to see the birds have now been opened and thousands of people have visited and watched the birds through webcams.

The Lake District Osprey Project is now hoping the birds will settle down to nest and a team of volunteers has begun a 24-hour guard to protect it.

Fingers-crossed

The project is a partnership between the Forestry Commission and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds with the support of the Lake District National Park Authority.

Graeme Prest from the project said: "Every year since 2001 these wonderful birds have captured the imagination of tens of thousands of people and have come to represent all that is most special about wildlife tourism in the Lake District.

"We will be keeping our fingers crossed that all goes well and that the birds nest successfully again this year."

Last year, about 90,000 visits were made to the viewpoints and it is estimated visitors boost the local economy by up to £2m every year.

From the viewpoint at Dodd Wood, near Keswick, people can see the nest through telescopes.