The last of this year's Osprey chicks have successfully taken to the air in Kielder Water and Forest Park.

The Kielder Osprey Project, a partnership between Forestry England, Northumbrian Water, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Wild Intrigue is celebrating its latest milestone as 11 youngsters have now fledged after taking their inaugural flight.

The endangered bird first bred in the 63,000 hectare Northumbrian forest in 2009 after a gap of at least two centuries. Since then an astonishing 114 chicks have fledged over 15 consecutive years of breeding.

Eight of the young ospreys have also been fitted with unique rings to help identify them in the future, however there were three more were born on a wild nest in the forest which wasn’t safe to climb, so ringing was not possible.

Joanna Dailey, Osprey co-ordinator with Forestry England, explained: “It’s a big boost to conservation efforts given that the species was extinct in England for almost all of the 20th century.  Because we have high definition cameras on many of the nests we can follow the story as chicks pluck up courage to take their first flight.  Tell-tale signs include wings being energetically flapped and hovering. 

"It’s amazingly satisfying seeing them take to the air and do a circuit of their tree-top nest.”

Thankfully, it is not goodbye forever as chicks stay near the family nest and still need feeding. The next stage in growing up is that they must learn to hunt and to build plenty of body fat, which will be needed in the next several weeks they will begin a 3,000 mile journey to sub-Saharan Africa.

Duncan Hutt, Director of Conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, added: “It’s no accident Ospreys have returned to Northumberland in such strength. It’s the result of long-term planning, team-work and sensitive habitat management. 

"It’s a magnificent bird which is back where it belongs.”

Gary Storey from Northumbrian Water said:"With so many ospreys on the wing, August is the best time to observe them fishing over Kielder Water. Tower Knowe visitor centre is a great vantage point and our partners Wild Intrigue are leading unique Osprey watch cruises on Northumbrian Water’s aptly named Osprey Ferry twice weekly on the reservoir.”