Following the return of the popular pair of ospreys to Bassenthwaite Lake just before Easter, further excitement has been caused as the female osprey has laid three eggs.

Members of the Lake District Osprey Project (LDOP) confirmed a hat-trick of eggs, laid over a week, are being looked after by both parents – the female known as ‘KL’ and the unringed male osprey.

Cath Johnson, of the LDOP, said: “We’re so excited that KL and her partner have three eggs in the nest. This is the fifth year that these particular ospreys have returned to Bassenthwaite and they’ve had 15 eggs in that time, so they are a very successful pair.”

A dedicated team of staff and volunteers can be found at the osprey viewpoint at Dodd Wood which is available every day from 10 am-5 pm until the end of August. At nearby Whinlatter Visitor Centre visitors can also watch live nest cam images on flat screen televisions, between 10 am-5 pm.

“It’s amazing to be able to watch these impressive birds here in the heart of the Lake District," said Cath. "We would encourage everyone, whether local or visiting the area, to come and see them over the summer and follow their incredible story.”

Since the LDOP began in 2001, ospreys have nested successfully at Bassenthwaite every year, raising nearly 30 chicks, while over 1.5 million people have visited the project.

Osprey fans around the world can keep an eye on the action from the nest by following the webcam on the LDOP homepage ospreywatch.co.uk and get the latest news at facebook.com/ospreywatch, or by following on Twitter @lakelandosprey.

To help support the project, people can also now donate at www.justgiving.com/lakesospreys.

The Lake District Osprey Project is a partnership between The Forestry Commission, the RSPB and the Lake District National Park.