In the early hours of Thursday, 8 July 2010 two osprey chicks were carefully removed from their nest near Keswick and given health checks and identification rings.
Specially shaped pliers are used to clamp a metal numbered ring to one of the legs of an osprey chick. Care is taken that room is left for the leg to grow and that the ring does not cause the bird any problems.
Each chick gets a unique white identification ring. The numbers this season are 11 and 12.
Enclosed comfortably in a pouch an osprey chick is weighed using a small spring balance, similar to one a fisherman would use.
Given the weight and other measurements it is thought that the two chicks this year are male.
A specialist climbing team is brought in to gain access to the nest. Whilst the birds are on the ground they carry out maintenance and general housekeeping to ensure the nest continues to be safe and secure.
For the first time satellite tracking transmitters have been fitted to the Cumbrian ospreys. It is hoped that these will provide valuable data as to what happens once the birds leave the Keswick area.
Access to the nest allowed for the recovery of an egg. This will now go for analysis to find out why it did not hatch and other tests.
Before the chicks are removed from the nest a photograph or two is taken by the tree climbing team.
The ringing of the osprey takes place when the birds are around 43 days old.
The ringing party retires to a safe distance for a welcome cup of tea. Using a telescope the nest is monitored to ensure the parents return. It is thought the chicks will fledge in the next few weeks.
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