Dry weather creates ‘brilliant’ conditions for Rutland ospreys

Sexton said some of the chicks had been “very healthy” and “well-fed” including a bird called 8R5 from the Manton Bay breeding pair – Maya and 33 – who was believed to have already begun its migratory journey to the west coast of Africa for the winter months.

Sexton said: “8R5 hasn’t been seen since 31July.

“Normally we would expect all the chicks to be around until well into September.

“They have had long days of sunshine, very little rain or bad weather that is going to set them back.

“So really, they have been able to feed well.

“In some years we lose chicks in adverse weather conditions particularly when the chicks are very young.”

Sexton said members of the public would be able to see the fledglings until about mid-September when they begin their journey to Africa.

He said the birds would settle in either Senegal or The Gambia because of the “good fishing opportunities” and once there, set up “winter territories” on beaches.

Once they reach breeding maturity at two to three years of age they will return to UK, Sexton added.