00:01Bird experts in Northumberland say this could become the strongest osprey breeding season seen at Kielder Forest for several years.
00:08Wildlife teams monitoring the protected nests have confirmed the first chicks of the season after cameras captured newly hatched birds
00:15being fed by their parents high above the forest floor.
00:19Eight monitored nests are now occupied by breeding pairs with eggs recorded in every location.
00:25Staff at Kielder Water and Forest Park Development Trust say that combination has never been confirmed before.
00:32One long-established pair, known to returning visitors watching the live nest cameras, is already caring for two chicks.
00:39Conservation workers say the coming weeks will remain critical for the young birds.
00:44Last year, only six chicks successfully fledged from the forest after poor weather and predators affected several nests.
00:51Recent hot conditions have also created challenges because adult birds must carefully regulate temperatures while protecting newly hatched chicks from
01:00exposure.
01:02Ospreys disappeared as breeding birds from England and Wales during the 19th century before eventually returning to Britain.
01:10Conservation groups now estimate there are close to 300 breeding pairs across the country.
01:16Liz Blair from the Development Trust says staff remain cautiously optimistic, although changing weather patterns across the summer could quickly
01:24affect nesting success rates.
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