BIRDWATCHERS are awaiting the return of the famous Lakeland Ospreys for the 12th successive breeding season.

A pair of ospreys first nested near Bassenthwaite Lake in 2001 – raising a single chick for the first time in 150 years.

Since then, there has been a successful nest every year with 23 chicks fledging.

In 2008, the birds moved from their artificial treetop home at Woodend, Thornthwaite Woods, to another man-made nest at Dodd Wood, and then last year, they decided to build their own nest nearer to the lake.

As the birds moved last year, no nest camera footage was available. This year members of the Lake District Osprey Project are covering as many bases as possible, with cameras at all three nest sites.