Kielder Water & Forest Park’s record breaking ospreys are a couple once again!

The Kielder Partnership can reveal that the female bird - who mothered three chicks last year, the first born in the North East of England for at least 200 years - has returned to the same nest she used last year, where she was greeted by her feathered partner who flew in earlier last week.

News that the two are back together has thrilled conservationists.

Footage of the nest - built on a platform high in a tree in the 155,000 acre Northumberland wilderness – is being streamed live to visitors at Kielder Castle, who were able watch as the birds lost no time in getting romantic after the female tucked into a fish supper plucked from Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Water.

Elisabeth Rowark, Director of the Kielder Partnership, said:

"There are never any guarantees with wildlife, so the fact that the couple are back safely from sub-Saharan Africa and that they are using the same nest where we have installed cameras is tremendous news. The prospect of more chicks being born in Kielder Water & Forest Park has got everyone very excited and the public will be able to enjoy a grandstand view."

Osprey courtship often involves the male attempting to woo his partner by providing a tasty fish. The bird stays faithful both to nest and mate.

Live images of Kielder’s ospreys are being broadcast to Kielder Castle and the Dukes Pantry Tea Room between 10am and 4pm daily.

Kielder Osprey Watch 2010 is organised by the Kielder Partnership, the RSPB and Northumberland Wildlife Trust. The partners are working hard to ensure that the ospreys are here to stay by maintaining a high quality habitat in Kielder Water & Forest Park and safeguarding and monitoring the nest site. To find out more go to http://www.visitkielder.com

Kielder Water & Forest Park was recently voted the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England.