Kielder ospreys fly the nest

The last of this year's fledgling ospreys have left their nests at Kielder Water & Forest Park

That brings the total to 50 fledged chicks since they began nesting at in the area in 2009.

This year, nine chicks have been successfully raised from four nests.

It makes 2017 the second most successful breeding season ever for the Kielder Ospreys, with only 2016 producing more fledged chicks (11).

Rangers in the park are hoping it will lead to more of the rare birds calling this part of the world their (summer) home.

It was not all smooth flying.

Our summer downpours have affected a number of UK osprey nests this season.

Although, with just over two fledges per nest, Kielder is still above the average for many UK osprey projects

• FACT FILE

• Ospreys became extinct in England as a breeding bird in 1847 and in Scotland in 1916

• Some birds re-colonised in Scotland and by 2001 there were nearly 160 breeding pairs

• Ospreys are migratory and arrive in late March and April and leave again for Africa in August and September

• They are monogamous and faithful to both to nest and mate

• Chicks fledge about seven weeks after hatching

• Kielder Water & ForestPark spans 250 square miles