A pair of ospreys nested by Bassenthwaite Lake this year. From their behaviour we think them to be Unring, and the unringed female from the past two years. They returned to the Lake at the end of March. As last year, they nested on the platform on private property. It was not possible to ascertain how many eggs were laid but 2 chicks hatched out. From the outset they appeared to be strong and healthy. Unring did a grand job keeping the family supplied with fish and the female nurtured them diligently. The two chicks proved to be very independent and by mid August were not hassling Unring for food, very different to many others we have seen.By the last week in August only one bird was seen fleetingly so we must assume the female and the chicks flew sometime then, winging their way to Africa. It was not long after the solitary bird (male) also moved on. Their breeding success just re-enforces the fact that as long as wild creatures are left alone, they generally thrive.

The chicks were not ringed and so they will not be traceable again but as usual, crossed fingers for a successful journey down Europe and over the Sahara.

Bassenthwaite Lake from the top of Dodd

Whether they go to the West coast or follow in White 14’s wing-beats to Bioko is anyone’s guess.