New bird for Lake District osprey

The Bassenthwaite nest is no stranger to love rivalry

The Lake District's most famous osprey appears to have found a new mate after his long-term partner failed to return from Africa.

Fish King arrived at Bassenthwaite Lake a week ago, but GreenXS - the female with whom he has raised ten chicks - has yet to appear.

On Friday, a hidden camera revealed the presence of a new female in the nest.

The male, who has nested at the same site since 2001, is now catching fish for his new companion.

This makes it probable that the pair will mate, according to Graeme Prest of the Lake District Osprey Project.

He said: "As the days go by it's looking more and more likely that this will be the pair now.

"Northerly winds and poor weather further south have probably held GreenXS back.

"Of course, there's always the hope that if she does appear then she'll go and nest somewhere else and we'll get another pair in the Lake District."

Economy boost

The nest is no stranger to rivalry. In April 2005, GreenXS arrived at the nest to find a younger male waiting for her, though Fish King soon returned to reclaim his roost.

Nearly half-a-million people have visited the viewpoints overlooking Bassenthwaite and the giant screen at Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre, which displays images from the nest camera.

It is estimated that the ospreys boost the local economy by up to £2m every year.

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.