We are proud to provide a sustainable, affordable, clean and safe water supply and to manage and treat the waste water returned to us in a way that protects the environment.
26/06/2009
People wanting to learn more about the iconic osprey birds rearing triplet chicks at Kielder Water & Forest Park, and increase their chances of seeing the adult birds hunting, can take a special daily cruise on the public ferry, also called Osprey.
Already passengers on the 74-seater ferry have reported watching the male fish-eating bird of prey plunge into Kielder Water and emerge carrying trout back to the nest site.
From Monday 29 June there will now be a special daily sailing of the ferry with experts on board to get them the closest to the obscured nest site they can get, and give a running commentary about the first ospreys to nest in Northumberland for more than two centuries.
Visitors will be entertained with facts, stories, spotting advice and information and be able to have their questions answered about the birds and the other wildlife in the Park.
The special morning cruise on Northumbrian Water’s Osprey ferry will be led by Ray Lowden, owner of the Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre at Leaplish Waterside Park.
And after the cruise Ray will be free flying some of his 80 different birds in demonstrations at the centre close to the ferry jetty. Fish eating birds at the centre include a white tailed sea eagle, a bald eagle and two ravenous pelicans!
Tonia Reeve, Northumbrian Water’s Kielder operations manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our customers this extra special cruise at no extra charge as ferry passengers will still pay just the normal ticket price.
“It is a great opportunity to learn more about these majestic birds. The ferry will get them the closest they can get to the nest site, although it will still be obscured, but I’m sure there will be some fantastic views of the hunting birds.”
The Osprey ferry special round trip will set sail daily from Leaplish Waterside Park at 10.45am, calling at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre at 11.10am and returning to Leaplish at 12.10pm. If passengers get on at Tower Knowe please note this sailing includes a lunch stop at Leaplish before continuing the round trip.
Booking is advisable to avoid disappointment on 01434-251000 or on site at Leaplish Waterside Park and Tower Knowe Visitor Centre. Tickets will be on sale on the morning of the sailing if spaces are available.
It costs £6.20 per adult, £3.90 per child and £5.50 for the over 60’s. Family tickets are also available for two adults and two children at £16.75 and for two adults and three children at £19.75.
Osprey chicks need at least one small fish every day to stay healthy, but as they develop, so too will their appetite. So far the female has steadfastly refused to budge from the nest, but she will hunt as her young grow.
It takes seven to eight weeks from hatching until the young leave the nest and join their parents on the fishing grounds. A month later the young will have learned how to fish and fend for themselves.
Those wanting to see the nest site on the other side of the reservoir can visit the viewing point at Mounces Car Park off the C200 near Leaplish Waterside Park which is open daily and staffed on Friday afternoons (1pm – 5pm) and at weekends (10am-5pm) by experienced volunteers. There is a park and ride shuttle bus from Leaplish to the viewing point on Saturday and Sunday. Powerful telescopes are available when the viewing point is staffed.
The osprey watch at Kielder is a joint partnership between Northumbrian Water, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission.
For more information log on to www.visitkielder.com
Contacts:
Alistair Baker, communications and PR manager, Northumbrian Water on 0191-301-6851 or 07711-793493
Philippa Clark, communications advisor (Kielder Water & Forest Park), on 0191- 301-5538, 07970-897756 or philippa.clark@nwl.co.uk.
Ray Lowden, owner Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre on 01434-250-400.
Notes to Editor
Ospreys were once distributed widely, but persecution resulted in them becoming extinct in England as a breeding bird in 1840 and in Scotland in 1916. Some birds re-colonised Scotland in the 1950s and in 2001 nesting birds spread to the English Lake District and others have been re-introduced at Rutland Water in the East Midlands.
Kielder Water & Forest Park is home to the the largest man-made lake in northern Europe and the largest forest in England. It was recently voted the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
The Kielder Partnership is a public, voluntary and private sector collaboration working to develop Kielder Water & Forest Park as an inspirational place for leisure, exploration and fun. Partners are the Calvert Trust Kielder, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Northumberland County Council and Northumbrian Water, plus representation from community groups. The Northumberland Wildlife Trust is an associate member.