OSPREYS are breeding in the North-East for the first time in more than 200 years.

The birds have nested and are believed to have hatched chicks on a specially- erected platform in Kielder Forest, Northumberland.

Conservationists are hailing the development as a major breakthrough.

Elisabeth Rowark, director of the Kielder Partnership, said: “It’s hard to overstate the significance of this development. Seeing ospreys nesting in Kielder Water and Forest Park is absolutely thrilling.

“Now it’s fingers crossed that the nest is a success and a brood of healthy chicks takes to the wing next month.”

The ospreys are being constantly monitored by ornithologists and wildlife rangers.

Experts believe a change in behaviour of the adult birds in recent days signals that the eggs have hatched.

The female was spending long periods on the nest, presumably incubating eggs, but she is now much more active.

Frequent swoops are being made by the male over Kielder Water to hunt for trout before taking food to the nest to feed mother and offspring.

If the ospreys do successfully rear chicks, they will almost certainly return next year, helping to establish a population.

Tom Dearnley, a Forestry Commission ecologist, said: “Kielder has been on the flight path of migrating ospreys for some time.

“But in recent years birds have been seen more frequently, prompting us to erect the nesting platforms.

Our chief goal now is to help the birds rear their family as they are probably first-time parents.

“It is crucial we do all in our power to prevent disturbance and monitor their progress, especially during this critical early period.

“It will be a tremendous feeling if the young ospreys make it – the first born in Northumberland for centuries.”