Rutland's favourite Osprey has been spotted back at Rutland Water today, 12 March 2024.

For the first time this season, Maya has been spotted back at the Manton Bay nest - a glorious sight captured by the nest cams installed by the Rutland Osprey Project.

The Rutland Osprey Project is run by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Anglian Water. Thanks to a pioneering translocation project - which has been running since 1996 - the team now welcome well over 20 Ospreys to Rutland Water during the Spring, the result of a nearly thirty year success story.

The preservation of Ospreys in the UK began much earlier though, when, in 1954, a pair of ospreys believed to be of Scandinavian origin, kick-started the slow recovery of the population of ospreys in the UK, having successfully raised chicks close to Loch Garten, Aviemore. 

However, it was predicted it could take over 100 years for ospreys to naturally repopulate central England.

In 1996, the translocation project began, which involved moving osprey chicks from nests in Scotland and releasing them at Rutland Water with the aim to create a self-sustaining breeding population of ospreys in central England.

Thanks to this pioneering project started by Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust in partnership with Anglian Water, ospreys have made a triumphant return to England.

Now, residents can see Ospreys in Rutland from late March, once they have undertaken their yearly flight back from locations in Africa and Iberia. 

The Rutland Osprey Project now have Live Webcams set up so that curious locals can find out more and track to progress of the active nests in the area. Click here to view the webcams or to donate to the Rutland Osprey Future Fund.

This afternoon, the team shared on social media: "Maya has just touched down on the Manton Bay nest! Welcome back."

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Last year, Maya stayed from March to September, during which time she raised three chicks.

Read more about the 2023 Osprey season here, or keep your eyes on Oakham Nub News for more Osprey updates ahead of the 2024 season.