Eggs for Cumbria ospreys

Three eggs in the nest at Bassenthwaite Credit: Lake District Osprey Project

A pair of ospreys nesting in Cumbria have produced three eggs.

Ospreys used to be extinct in the UK, but when they returned to Scotland, the Lake District Osprey Project created an artificial platform, in the hope that they could be encouraged to nest in Cumbria.

It worked. A breeding pair has returned there from their winter migration in Africa for 17 years.

What makes the rare birds of prey especially impressive is their huge wingspan - around 1.65m. And their nest is about the size of a double bed.

Only one of these three eggs is likely to survive and last year this pair lost all three - two to a magpie in their nest.

Their fans are hoping these three eggs have better luck.

They have around four weeks left until they hatch and can be viewed on a screen at Whinlatter Tourist Information Office or from viewing platforms near Bassenthwaite.