There is no better sign of spring in Rutland than the return of the county's beloved ospreys but this year, their return not only marks the start of warmer weather but also the 30th anniversary of the Rutland Osprey Project.

The reintroduction of ospreys into Rutland began in 1996, with the species being extinct in the area since 1847.

According to Rick Wilson at Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, 'After Rutland Water had been built in the 1970s, it was discovered that some of the ospreys returning to Scotland on migration were stopping off to feed at Rutland Water and staying for a short while as a stop off on their journey. So, it made perfect sense to try and tempt them to stop here and breed.'

In 1996, the translocation project began moving osprey chicks from nests in Scotland and releasing them at Rutland Water, hoping to create a self-sustaining breeding population.

In total, 64 juvenile ospreys were collected from Highland and Moray in Scotland and released at Rutland Water between 1996 and 2001.

In 1999, the first chicks returned to Rutland Water and in 2001, the Rutland Osprey Project welcomed the first chick to be born in England in over 150 years.

Jumping forward to 2025, the project celebrated the 300th successfully fledged chick was born in Rutland, with eleven breeding pairs in Rutland raising 31 chicks that successfully fledged the nests, the highest number in a single year to date.

Tim Sexton, Senior Species and Recording Officer at Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust said: 'We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Ospreys back to Rutland Water in this special 30th anniversary year of the Rutland Ospreys project.

advertisement

'Every spring, when they return to breed, is a wonderful reminder of what three decades of dedication, partnership and community support can achieve for the conservation of rare and threatened species.'

On 15 March this year, the first osprey returned from migration, landing on the Manton Bay nest.

The Rutland Osprey are not given names so we do not project human traits on to the bird but the important exception to this rule is local celebrity, Maya.

Maya has been at Rutland Water since 2009 and is the most successful breeding female in the project, having raised more than 40 chicks to date.

Every year, thousands of people visit Rutland Water Nature Reserve to see the Manton Bay Nest at the Lyndon Visitor Centre and people from around the world tune into the live Osprey webcam.

The Ospreys are an important part of Rutland's environment now and are treasured by local people.

'As a Rutlander myself,' said Rick, 'I feel really enthused and feel very proud hen I get asked about the project and to have these incredible creatures so close to where I live is both a privilege and a source of enjoyment.

'There is something so fascinating about these majestic birds and the fact that we can get so close to them during their time here is fabulous.'

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Rutland Osprey Project, as well as the 50th anniversary of Rutland Water and 70 years of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, there is several special events coming up this spring.

On Sunday 29 March, there will be a special children's Osprey workshop at Lyndon Visitor Centre, where children can come and celebrate World Osprey Day by painting and decorating their own 'Ollie the Osprey' to take home with a goodie bag.

There is also a series of Guided Osprey Walks, taking place on 31 March and 6 April, where you can enjoy an immersive guided walk learning about Rutland Water and the Ospreys. The event starts with a talk by the knowledgeable member of the team, who will share insights into the beautiful words and the vital conservation work they do.

After the talk, visitors will be led out to the hides where they will witness the birds in action, hearing the latest updates from the 2026 osprey season.

Rutland Osprey Project and Rutland Water have lots going on this year to mark these special anniversaries and will be sharing lots of updates as the season develops.