Kielder osprey returns home

Excitement built last week as volunteers worked to identify a male osprey who has built a new nest in Kielder Forest. Volunteers successfully identified the bird and discovered that this osprey is extra special, as he is the first known Kielder osprey to setup his own territory back in his birthplace. The osprey is ‘Blue UV’, the 2014 satellite-tagged offspring from Nest 1.

Blue UV is holding the territory in the hope of attracting a female. While it’s too late in the season to hope for eggs from this new nest, the young osprey’s return bodes well for next year as the population of Kielder ospreys continues to thrive.

Alex MacLennan, Forestry England Recreation & Public Affairs Manager North East, said:

 “Forestry England staff have been working on establishing such a colony since 2005. It really is incredible how the ospreys have reacted to the work put in by our expert wildlife rangers, creating platforms and habitats, making it so attractive for these fantastic birds.

“All this comes together while we celebrate 100 years of Forestry this year. It really is an amazing story, and we believe those who created Kielder Forest starting in 1926 would be mighty proud of the Kielder environment today, compared to how it looked before the forest establishment.”

This fantastic news adds to the success of 6 pairs of ospreys laying eggs this year – another first in Kielder Water & Forest Park. This is very exciting for the Kielder Osprey Watch volunteers who are now busy welcoming visitors every Saturday and Sunday between 10.30am - 5.00pm behind the Boat Inn, Kielder.

You can watch the live feed of the osprey nests in Kielder Castle café whilst enjoying a hot drink and homemade food (forestryengland.uk/kielder-castle). You can also view the live streaming at Northumbrian Water's Landal Kielder Waterside.