LAKE DISTRICT OSPREY WATCH
Osprey chicks just hatched in the Forestry Commission's Thornthwaite Forest near Keswick in the Lakes is a great success for conservation management by the Commission and its partners, Forestry Minister Elliot Morley said today.
Visiting the Lakes to view the chicks and open a special Osprey Viewpoint to members of the public, Mr Morley, a keen bird-watcher, said: "This is fantastic news. It is more than 150 years since Ospreys last nested in England and now this is the second pair to hatch out chicks this month! These magnificent birds are bound to attract attention both locally and nationally and are likely to give a substantial boost to the economy of the Lake District, attracting people from far and wide.
"I hope that this new young family will feel like another small window of opportunity for those involved in tourism in the countryside. The Forestry Commission, the Lake District National Park Authority and the RSPB have all done a tremendous job in watching over this delicate venture. I know that it represents the culmination of several years work.
"The Forestry Commission has now reopened almost all of its woodlands and forests in England and I know that large parts of the Lake District fells are also open again. All of this is excellent news for countryside tourism in Cumbria."
The Lakeland birds have re-colonised England naturally as part of a population expansion in Scotland, following the return of Ospreys in the 1950s, after they had been extinct there for over 50 years. The announcement from the Lakes follows news that a second pair of Ospreys are nesting in the Midlands - the result of a project to re-introduce ospreys by releasing birds at Rutland Water.
Paul Tiplady, Lake District National Park Officer, said: "I am delighted to hear of this exciting development, which is especially welcome after several months of less happy news. Since the authority acquired Bassenthwaite Lake, we have been working hard to develop its conservation potential. This is a real milestone in our endeavours and a fitting way to look forward to the rest of this 50th Anniversary year."
RSPB North of England Regional Director, Andy Bunten, added: "This is an exciting new chapter in the amazing success story of the return of the Osprey as a breeding bird in the UK. We are absolutely delighted that after so many years these wonderful fish-eating birds of prey are back and successfully rearing young in a nest in northern England. We are especially grateful to the local police for providing so much support and back-up during a lengthy operation to protect the nest from disturbance and egg-theft."
The Lake District Osprey Viewpoint is situated at Dodd Wood, north of Keswick, follow the signs to The Mirehouse from the A66. The Viewpoint, overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake, a favoured fishing area for the Ospreys, will be open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm daily until the end of August. There is a clear, direct view of the nest from a safe distance. Visitors will be able to watch the Ospreys through high-powered telescopes and binoculars.
The partners in the Lakes Osprey Watch say that the first weeks are a critical period for the chicks and the local team will be anxiously watching developments in the nest over the coming days. If all goes well, the chicks are expected to leave the nest in mid August.
Directions to Osprey Viewpoint: Situated in the Forestry Commission's Dodd Wood about half an hour by car from J40 on the M6 (Penrith). The car park at The Mirehouse/Dodd Wood is on the east side of Bassenthwaite Lake about 3 miles north of Keswick off the A591. From the A66 follow the signs to The Mirehouse. The Viewpoint is a 10 minute walk from the car park up a rather steep hill. There is a 50 space car park, toilets and a privately run cafe. All enquiries - and to arrange disabled access - to the Forestry Commission's Whinlatter Visitor Centre on 01768 778469. Please DO NOT park anywhere else to look for the ospreys as much of the area is still closed due to Foot and Mouth
Bassenthwaite has been owned and managed by the Lake District National Park Authority since 1979 and is now a National Nature Reserve