Any day now the famous Kielder ospreys are expected to return and people in the area are being urged to turn their eyes skyward to see if they can spot them.

Ospreys have been soaring the skies of Northumberland since they first returned and recolonized in 2009. With their fair share of births, deaths, reunions, breakups, hatchings and philandering, they trounce the antics on Love Island hands-down.

In 2022, all the ringed chicks were named using the initial F. Two of the ringed ones were seen on migration in the UK with one spending several weeks in Devon honing her fishing skills. A third bird was seen on the river that runs through Barcelona.   

One bird, dubbed Yellow 37, is the longest standing breeder in Kielder Forest with his first chicks born in 2011. He will be 18 years old this summer, and although not the oldest male breeding in the UK, it’s always a relief when osprey watchers see him.

Back on the ground, for the 15^th year running Northumberland Wildlife Trust will be running Osprey Watch from the cabin at Tower Knowe.

Each Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, from Saturday 8^th April to Sunday 13^th August between 11:00am - 4:30pm, visitors will be offered views of the activity on the nest via scopes, and a high quality close up on nest 7, via the nest cam in the cabin.

There will also be screens in Kielder Castle by 3^rd April showing activity on Nests 1A and Nest 6.

Katy Barke, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Nature Recovery Manager says:

“This time of year is always one of anticipation and excitement as spring progresses and species return to the UK from all over the world. The osprey must rank as one of the most spectacular migrant birds and we are very fortunate to host so many pairs at Kielder Water & Forest Park, which we love to show to visitors. Although the birds will be returning to their nests in the forest, they can also be seen over the whole county as individuals fly further north to Scotland.

“Keep your eyes peeled and you might just be lucky enough to see them! Keep an eye on the Kielder Ospreys blog and we’d love to hear from you if you spot any!”

The Kielder Osprey Project is a partnership between Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust, Forestry England, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Northumbrian Water and Calvert Trust Kielder.  The partners are working hard to ensure that the ospreys are here to stay by maintaining a high quality habitat in Kielder Water & Forest Park and safeguarding and monitoring the nest sites.

To find out more, visit www.visitkielder.com

To post osprey sightings got to the Visit Kielder Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kielder or the Visit Kielder twitter feed at www.twitter.com/visitkielder

Keep up to date with the ospreys at www.kielderospreys.wordpress.com