Rutland Water Osprey reveals baby chicks on live feed - with third chick hatching today

A live webcam has captured the arrival of three Osprey chicks being revealed for the first time by its parents at Rutland Water Nature Reserve.  

The first chick was spotted for the very first time on a live feed on Friday (12 May) via Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust’s online feed, as the adult Osprey moved out of its way allowing the chick to see the world for the first time.  

Just under 48 hours later, another egg hatched at 05:44am on Sunday (14 May) and the third chick arrived earlier this morning (17 May). 

Anglian Water and Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust (LRWT) have been working together since 1996 on ‘The Rutland Osprey Project’ which aims to reintroduce these birds of prey to the area and provide a base from which Ospreys could spread across England. 

As a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), special protection area (SPA) and RAMSAR site, Rutland Water is internationally important for its wildlife and is one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in the UK, regularly holding in excess of 25,000 waterfowl.   

Chris Gerrard, Catchment and Biodiversity Manager for Anglian Water said: “Rutland Water is one of the UK’s most famous nature reserves, which is conserving thousands of wildlife species. We are delighted our partnership with Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust on this pioneering project to help protect Ospreys in our region continues to see the successful hatching of more chicks this year.” 

Joe Davis from LRWT said: “The Osprey population is continuing to thrive in and around Rutland Water.  

“Our nest at Manton Bay is so productive, we have two eggs at the moment and are waiting for potentially two more eggs to hatch. It goes to show what forward-thinking conservation work and a great partnership between Anglian Water and Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife has achieved.” 

Since 2001, the project has seen over 200 chicks arrive at the site – and the number is still growing. The birds now regularly breed at Rutland Water, which has now become the home of the modern English Osprey.  

The birds continue to be extremely vulnerable – but dedicated project officers and volunteers observe the Ospreys from the time they arrive in spring, until they migrate to West Africa in autumn. 

Members of the public can enjoy spotting these birds by visiting the Lyndon Visitor Centre daily from 9am – 5pm.