Nesting ospreys return to Glaslyn

The ospreys pair have arrived back at Glaslyn for the fifth year running

Two ospreys have returned to their nest in Gwynedd for the fifth year in a row.

They fly in from Africa to raise chicks in the Glaslyn Valley near Porthmadog.

The birds, the only known nesting pair in Wales, appear at almost the same time every year. The male arrived on the same date this year as he did in 2007.

More than 180,000 people have watched the birds at the RSPB Cymru viewing site since 2004. It is now open to the public until the end of August.

RSPB Cymru's osprey officer Emyr Evans said: "The viewing site reopened last Thursday and everyone on site has been waiting expectantly for a sign of the birds' return.

"We have been able to read the ring number on the leg of the male and confirm that this is the same bird.

Nest-cam

"Whilst the female is not ringed, we are confident that this special pair has been reunited."

The ospreys spend each winter in Africa and have successfully raised two chicks each year from their temporary Pont Croesor home between 2005 and 2007.

The Glaslyn osprey project is open from 1000 until 1800 GMT every day.

RSPB Cymru staff and volunteers are at the site to help visitors view the birds through telescopes and binoculars while live images from a nest-cam will also be shown in the visitor centre.