Home / Environment / Ospreys Soar: Kielder Forest Nears 150 Fledged Birds
Ospreys Soar: Kielder Forest Nears 150 Fledged Birds
26 Jul
Summary
- Kielder Forest is approaching a milestone of 150 fledged ospreys.
- Eight osprey nests are present this year, a record number.
- Ospreys were absent from England and Wales for over a century.
Ospreys are on the cusp of reaching a significant milestone in Kielder Forest, with nearly 150 birds having fledged since 2009. This year has been a record-breaking season, with eight active nests, all successfully containing eggs. Conservationists first reintroduced ospreys to Northumberland in 2009 by building a nest in Kielder Forest.
This resurgence is particularly notable given the species' historical decline. Ospreys, once common across the UK, were driven to extinction as breeding birds by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming targets for collectors. Their natural re-establishment in Kielder, without introduced chicks, highlights successful conservation strategies.
The chicks this year have been named after local places, with the ongoing calm weather presenting a slight challenge for their first flights. However, there is optimism that many more chicks will soon take to the skies.
