The first osprey from Northumberland’s breeding colony has landed after a long and testing migration from her overwintering base – almost certainly in Africa.
She has been identified as Mrs YA, who has now turned up for her 10th breeding season at Kielder. She has raised a total of 25 chicks to fledging in that time.
She has taken up residence on her usual spot – Nest 1A- but will almost certainly have to look for a new mate as her long-term partner YA vanished last season as their chicks were being raised. He is believed to have died after suffering some unknown mishap.
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He first bred at Kielder in 2012 and was the site’s most productive male. If, as expected, he does not appear, then Mrs YA will have to be renamed.
Mrs YA will find a new 4K camera on her nest which will deliver higher quality images. It is one of two 4K cameras provided by a generous donor for Nest1A and Nest6this year. As a result, all the locally streamed nests now have 4K quality video recordings. No other UK project has such extensive coverage of so many nests under one ownership.
Forestry England wildlife rangers and climbers have visited the nests at Kielder over a couple of days recently. A new pole and nesting platform has been erected near Nest 8, a wild nest in a dead tree which cannot be climbed to ring chicks, and which could be in danger of being blown out during gales.
It will now be up to the returning birds on Nest 8 as the whether they choose the tree or the platform. Last year seven nests were occupied at Kielder and five produced fledged chicks.
This season will be the 15th year running that Northumberland Wildlife Trust will be running Osprey Watch from the cabin at Tower Knowe at Kielder. Each Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, from April 8 to August 13 between 11am and 4:30pm, visitors will be offered views of the activity on the nest via scopes, and a high quality close up on nest 7, via the nest cam in the cabin. There will also be screens in Kielder Castle by April 3 showing activity on Nests 1A and Nest 6.
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