A RECORD number of ospreys which were extinct in England in the 20th century are set to be recorded at a key outpost for the bird of prey.

This is the first time in at least 200 years that chicks have been born to osprey fathers who themselves fledged in Northumberland’s Kielder Forest.

The milestone comes 12 years after ospreys were first bred at Kielder, with the aim of re-establishing them in northern England.

Experts visited their remote nesting site to ring one of these chicks, named Elsin after a nearby fell.

Forestry England climbers gently lowered the docile youngster to the ground from its nest where it was fitted with a unique identifying ring on one leg, which it will wear all its life, and a colour tag on the other to indicate it is an English osprey.

It was also weighed before being returned to the nest, none the worse for the experience.

Martin Davison, Forestry England ornithologist, said: “Three more chicks on a separate nest also have a Kielder-born dad which signifies a big step forward.

“Kielder Water and Forest Park is now an osprey stronghold and a crucial staging post in what we hope is the natural recolonisation of northern England.

“We have an amazing habitat for ospreys and have come a long way over the past decade.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054

The Kielder Osprey partnership said a record number of ospreys are likely to fledge in the forest park, with at least 16 healthy youngsters on seven nests.

High definition cameras monitor the sites, giving conservationists and the public – via a live feed at Kielder Castle – an insight into their remarkable lives.

Local volunteer Joanna Dailey, who has followed birds’ fortunes at Kielder for more than a decade, said: “Elsin’s dad was born in 2014 and was not only ringed, but also fitted with a satellite tag.

“It took him until April the following year to reach Senegal, where he stayed for a couple of years.

“Driven by a homing instinct, he first came back to Kielder in 2016 after an epic journey when he was thrown thousands of miles off course by a sandstorm.

“Last year he tried to breed, but the eggs failed.

“He then got jilted by his partner, but happily found another female this year and together they have produced Elsin.

“Ospreys are iconic and incredible birds and being able to follow at least part of their adventures is a real privilege.”