First osprey chick of 2024 hatches at Rutland Water

The first osprey chick of the year has hatched at Rutland Water Nature Reserve.

Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust previously confirmed an egg was laid by a bird called Maya on 1 April.

The trust said the chick hatched "amid the spectacular aurora displays over the skies" over the weekend.

The reserve was the first place in England where ospreys bred in 150 years when Scottish chicks were introduced in 1996 and in 2001.

The trust said Maya was a prolific breeder who would likely reach her 40th chick this year.

It is hoped a second egg of her eggs will hatch soon and both chicks will fledge by the end of the summer.

Matt Scase, from Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, said the hatching made it "a fantastic day for all of us here".

"It has been great to see so many excited people come down to the Lyndon Visitor Centre to see the adorable chick on the nest," he said.

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