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Why this could be a record-breaking year for UK ospreys

osprey couple in a nestGetty Images

Conservationists are hoping that this year will be a record-breaking one for the UK's ospreys.

Ospreys, also known as sea hawks, are large fish-eating birds of prey.

They are very rare in the UK, and were once hunted to extinction here.

However, over the last few decades the birds have begun to make a small comeback, and now conservationists in Northumberland are excited that they might have the best year for osprey chicks yet.

"We've got a real feeling of optimism this year." said Kielder Water and Forest Park Development Trust director Liz Blair.

Two ospreys huddled together, side by side, in their nest - which is the same nest as before, so likely the same two birds.Kielder Osprey Partnership

Osprey breed for life and will return to the same nest every season

In Kielder Forest, in Northumberland, there are are currently eight monitored nests with Osprey families living in them, and this year around 20 eggs are thought to have been laid.

The eggs are expected to hatch in about a week's time - although Liz added that there was a chance they might not all make it, due to risks from predators and the weather.

"We know nature comes into play, we had problems with goshawks last year and the weather could suddenly change - but this does look like a good year," she said.

An osprey - a large raptor bird with brown feathers and yellow predator eyes. It appears to be staring directly into the camera. It is standing in an elaborately crafted nest in Kielder Forest, and a moor behind it stretches into the distance. A blue tag is wrapped around one of its legs.Kielder Osprey Partnership

From the Middle Ages to the 20th Century ospreys were hunted to extinction in the UK, because they were seen as competition to fishermen, were hunted for sport, and used in fashion and taxidermy.

However, they returned to the UK in 1954, and there are now close to 300 breeding pairs, according to the Wildlife Trusts.

Now Ospreys have the highest full legal protection under UK law and it is an against the law to injure or disturb an osprey, or its nest or eggs.

Top Osprey facts

an osprey catching a fish in mid-air from a lochGetty Images

  • An osprey is capable of carrying a fish equal to its own size!

  • Osprey's (like other birds) have a third eyelid. This is a semi-transparent membrane which is used to protect their eyes whilst diving for fish - basically like having built in water-goggles for when they are underwater!

  • Ospreys often nest in the same treetop for up to 20 years and are strongly faithful to both their nest and mate.

  • While its normal flight tops out at around 50km an hour, the osprey is capable of speeds of up to 125km/h in steep dives to capture unsuspecting fish.

  • Ospreys can travel up to 5,000km on their migrations

Facts from Scottish Wildlife Trusts