A young osprey chick hatched at a nest near Keswick braved the wet weather to take his first flight in the Lake District this week. The chick, the only one to hatch at Bassenthwaite this year, took his maiden flight at 1.16pm on Monday. The seven-week-old bird, ringed as White 13, was in the skies for just two minutes.
Ella Dixon, of the Lake District Osprey Project, said: “Most ospreys fledge at around seven to eight weeks old so No 13’s behaviour is very typical. He was probably encouraged to fledge by his parents, who were feeding in front of him but denying him any food.
“The adult birds both followed him around on his first flight but as he builds up his confidence, we should see him flying solo fairly soon. The female will soon be returning to West Africa, leaving the adult male to keep an eye on the young bird while he learns to fish.”
Visitors can get to see the young osprey and his parents at the viewpoints at Dodd Wood, near Keswick, from 10am-5pm until September 2.
There is an exhibition area dedicated to the ospreys at Whinlatter Visitor Centre with a live feed from a nest camera. The centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
The Lake District Osprey Project is a partnership between the Forestry Commission, the RSPB and the Lake District National Park.
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