Border Ospreys

A farmer has been found guilty of intentionally disturbing the nest of breeding ospreys in the Lake District.

Paul Barnes drove his tractor and trailer with a group of children close to the Bassenthwaite site in June 2017, scaring the birds of prey from their nest.

The 58-year-old, from Braithwaite near Keswick, must pay a £300 fine, £2,000 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

The charges were brought under the Country and Wildlife Act 1981.

Ospreys are protected under the act which means it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly cause disturbance at, on or near an active nest.

The birds returned to the Lake District in 2001 after an absence of 150 years.

They have since become a major tourist attraction.

Three osprey chicks have finally hatched at a popular tourist attraction in the Lake District.

Just before Easter, the popular osprey couple arrived back at Bassenthwaite, laying three eggs in April.

The osprey chicks, which hatched on 18, 19 and 22 May, are doing well according to staff at the Lake District Osprey Project.

Three osprey eggs have been spotted at a popular tourist attraction in the Lake District.

Just before Easter, Bassenthwaite Lake's regular osprey couple returned.

Members of the Lake District Osprey Project have now confirmed that a hat-trick of eggs, laid over a week, are being looked after by both parents.

The osprey viewpoint can be found at Dodd Wood every day from 10am to 5pm until the end of August.

At nearby Whinlatter Visitor Centre visitors can also watch live nest cam images on flat screen televisions, between 10am and 5pm.

It has been the most successful year ever for four breeding osprey pairs on the Scottish Border.

Nine chicks have already fledged in their nests high up in the treetops at Kielder with two more due to fledge soon.

There are now hopes that the birds can one day re-colonise much of this part of the country.

Matthew Taylor reports:

Ospreys are returning to the Lake District after spending winter in warmer climates. The birds are fitted with tracking devices that monitor their migration patterns.

The Lake District Osprey Project says three birds have been seen so far, and one has even begun mating.

A bird of prey that was near extinction is being helped back to healthy numbers in the Scottish Borders.

The Tweed Valley Osprey conservation project looks after ten nests in secret locations near Innerleithen.

For the tenth year running a pair have returned to the same spot to breed.

Three chicks have been tagged this morning, to prepare for them flying the nest.