Rutland Osprey Project is celebrating the hatching of the 150th osprey chick since the first birds were reintroduced by the project in 1997.

Maya and her mate '33' are now the proud parents of three chicks - with the third historic hatchling making its appearance at around 10.48pm yesterday (Mon).

Volunteers Tom and Ann Price, who had been stationed at the Waderscrape hide since dawn this morning (Tues), alerted Osprey Project Officer Marie Dipple that they thought they had seen a third chick.

Marie trawled back through the project's webcam footage of the nest to confirm the new arrival.

The chick is of double note - not only marking the project's considerable success, but also a poignant reminder that the osprey was extinct in central England for 150 years.

Marie told Oakham Nub News: "What an incredible moment!

"It really is a poignant reminder of all the hard work that has been put into helping these beautiful birds recover.

"The babies look healthy and strong and I'm going to feel like my own offspring are flying the nest when they fledge in the autumn!

"Can't wait to watch them grow gangly and lose their fluff to resemble their parents, just watching them up close on the webcam is so thrilling, I love my job!"

The first two of Maya and her partner's clutch of four eggs hatched on Saturday evening - at about 6.30pm and 8pm - at Lyndon Nature Reserve and were caught on Rutland Osprey Project's webcam.

Ironically, the first two chicks hatched on the same day a new two-storey birdwatching hide was officially opened at the reserve's Manton Bay...offering the best views of the osprey's nest.

Maya was the first of Rutland Osprey Project's 25 birds to return to Lyndon Nature Reserve and the team expected her eggs to hatch first.

She laid her first egg on April 2 and the last of the clutch of four on April 11.

Maya and '33' have been a successful breeding pair at Rutland Water's Lyndon Nature Reserve, home to Rutland Osprey Project, since 2015.

Maya has raised a total of 21 chicks since she first bred at Lyndon Nature Reserve in 2010. Three of those chicks now return to breed.

Bird-lovers can watch Maya and her mate's nest around the clock via the project's webcam.

Visit the Rutland Osprey Project website by clicking the red button below.

Rutland Osprey project has launched a new fundraising initiative. Supporters can text the word 'OSPREY' to 70085 followed by the amount they wish to donate - with a minimum £5. So, to donate £5 text 'OSPREY5' or £20 text 'OSPREY20'. Texts cost the donation amount plus the standard rate message charge.

Donations will used to develop the project, expand outreach, improve understanding and protection of the osprey and help enhance the education impact of the visitor centre.

Photo courtesy of Rutland Osprey Project