There were a record breaking six osprey chicks hatched in Kielder this year.
Unfortunately three succumbed to the elements with cold conditions and record rainfall taking its toll.
Two chicks which hatched just before the Jubilee weekend – dubbed Jubilee Jack and Queenie - were today ringed by the Forestry Commission at the Kielder Water and Forest Park.
The sole surviving chick on another nest in the Northumbria has also been ringed.
All three osprey chicks are expected to fledge within the next few weeks.
Forestry Commission Wildlife Ranger Philip Spottiswood said: “We have maintained our record of producing three osprey chicks each year since 2009 when the bird began to breed again in Northumberland for the first time in at least 200 years. Despite the conditions, the chicks ringed this year are very healthy and we expect them all to fledge in the next few weeks. Given the dreadful weather that is a tremendous result."
Ringing the birds is the best way of monitoring their fortunes in the wild. After being carefully lowered from their treetop nest by tree climbing rangers, each was fitted with a harmless metal leg ring and unique colour tag to help identify the bird. These can be read over a distance using a telescope. Gathering data on ospreys is vital to chart what experts hope will be a gradual re-population of other areas.
Duncan Hutt, from Northumberland Wildlife Trust, added: "The species was extinct in England until recently, but Kielder together with the Lake District has been naturally re-colonised. A big factor has been the expanding Scottish population and also the erection of special nesting platforms near Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Water, which offers perfect hunting grounds for trout."
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