THE first Lake District osprey has returned from its West African hunting grounds.
The bird landed in the South Lakeland area last week to mark the start of the breeding season.
Mike Thornley, north regional officer and osprey monitor at The British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC), said the osprey's return was "always a highlight" of the year.
"After two weeks repairing and improving their nesting sites it is with excitement that the breeding season returns," he said.
"The BASC osprey project has also built two new nests ready for the season to help with the anticipated increase as we help the fragile English population."
Mr Thornley added: “Under trickier conditions than usual, the reappearance of the ospreys reminds us that nature goes on, and spring is upon us.
"All our fingers are crossed for a high percentage of ospreys returning so we can witness another successful breeding season."
Ospreys have since returned to Cumbria Wildlife Trust's Foulshaw Moss nature reserve, near Lindale, starting with the bird known as 'Blue 35'.
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