The breeding pair of ospreys at the Manton Bay nest have left Rutland following a successful summer.

The Rutland Osprey Project has been running since 1996, and this year the team celebrated another successful clutch of eggs from returning Osprey, Maya and her mate, 33. 

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, a 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.

Following an incredible success with the programme, Rutland residents can see Ospreys around the Water from April until September, when the ospreys begin their 3,000 mile journey back to West Africa.

The Rutland Osprey Project team said: "No sign of Maya since late afternoon on 3 September. She must have started her migration. Safe travels to this incredible bird!"

The pair's clutch of three surviving chicks fledged in early July. Read more about the successful clutch here.

The team concluded: "We are still getting sightings of other osprey at Rutland Water, so you are still in with a chance of seeing one of these fantastic birds."

You can head down to Rutland Water with the hopes of seeing an osprey from Lyndon Road, Manton, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8RN, or Rutland Water Nature Reserve in Eglton.

The Rutland Osprey Project also have Live Webcams set up so that curious locals can find out more and track to progress of the active nests in the area. View the webcams here.

Alternatively, get in touch to share your own local news by emailing [email protected].