News

Bassenthwaite Lake is renowned for its breeding ospreys. In 2001, the first pair returned to nest here, marking the species’ successful comeback to England after an absence of more than 100 years.

In April 2026, a male and female osprey returned to the Bassenthwaite nesting platform, beginning the site’s 25th breeding season. The female is a ringed bird that hatched in 2017 at Loch of the Lowes. Before settling at Bassenthwaite, she also visited Esthwaite Water early in the season, where she was observed courting another male. These fascinating movements and behaviours are only revealed through identification rings and the valuable contributions of citizen science.

Thanks to the close collaboration of the local farming community and a live webcam installed by Lake District Wildlife Park before the birds returned, the nest has been monitored throughout the season, giving people the opportunity to follow their progress.

The first egg was laid on 10 April, followed by two more over the following days. The birds incubated the clutch diligently, and all three chicks hatched successfully around 19 May. Since then, both adults have been making regular fishing trips, returning to the nest with fresh fish, while the webcam has captured wonderful footage of the female feeding the rapidly growing chicks.
On 26 June, the three chicks became the first osprey chicks to be ringed in Cumbria this year. The ringing was carried out by a licensed bird ringer as part of an important conservation programme that enables scientists to monitor the birds’ survival, migration, and future breeding success.

The young ospreys are now showing all the signs that they are almost ready to fledge. They can often be seen exercising their wings, hopping around the nest platform and building the strength and confidence needed for their first flights.

Keep an eye on the live webcam—you may be lucky enough to witness one of nature’s most memorable moments as these young ospreys take to the skies for the very first time
https://www.lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk/osprey-webcam/