It is hoped a third egg will now be laid

Round-the-clock protection is being provided for the pair at Wythop Wood, overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake, by the Lake District Osprey Project.

The female is now incubating the egg alongside one she laid last week, and if all goes well they will hatch in around six weeks time.

Since 2001, the pair have brought up a total of five chicks.

"Anxious time"

Greame Prest of the Lake District Osprey Project said: "This is great news and we are delighted that after an extraordinary start to the season we now have two eggs safely in the nest.

"We hope that a third egg will be laid and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that this year there will be three chicks in the nest for the first time.

"However, for both the ospreys and the project team, the hard work is just beginning.

"The next few weeks will be an anxious time for us all, as the ospreys have to cope with not only the changeable Cumbrian weather but could also be at risk from accidental disturbance or the attentions of malicious egg thieves."