VISITORS to Kielder Water and Forest Park are being urged to train their eyes on the skies over the next couple of weeks as the area's famous ospreys are expected to return. 

The annual visitors have been spotted in the skies of Northumberland since their recolonisation in 2009, and ospreys have been spotted closer to Northumberland in recent days, suggesting an imminent return to Kielder could be just days away.

Shortly after the birds have returned, visitors will be able to enjoy Osprey Watch and observe the birds on nest 1A using telescopes, and the live nestcam network provided by the Forestry Commission.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust will be running Osprey Watch from its cabin behind the Boat Inn, at Kielder Waterside, between 10.30am and 5pm every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from Saturday, April 20, until Sunday, August 18. A nest viewing screen will also be operating in Kielder Castle Cafe.

Lynn Turner, director at Kielder Water and Forest Park Development Trust, said: "There's a real buzz around the area at this time of year because the Kielder ospreys are a real fixture in the calendar now.

"We are all looking forward to their arrival again and the chance to celebrate a fantastic example of species recolonisation that has added a new level of wonder to an already fantastic part of the world."