All three osprey eggs which were laid in a nest at Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria have now hatched.

Two chicks were seen earlier this week, and the third was confirmed on Thursday when it raised its “wobbly little head”, said conservationists.

It is the ninth brood for a male bird which arrived at the lake in 2001.

He was the first osprey to nest in the Lakes in 150 years and has reared six chicks with the current female and 10 with his previous mate.

The birds attract thousands of people to the area each year, providing a boost to the Lake District’s economy.

Visitors to Bassenthwaite can watch them through high-powered telescopes at the Dodd Wood viewpoint, overlooking the lake.

Live images from the nest are also beamed to a big screen at the nearby Whinlatter visitor centre.

The Lake District Osprey Project is managed by a partnership of the Forestry Commission, Lake District National Park Authority and the RSPB.

BBC.CO.UK

Around 100 bird watchers are keeping an eagle eye on the osprey nest at Bassenthwaite after two chicks hatched over the bank holiday.

The first chick was born on Sunday evening, followed by another early on Monday. A third egg is still incubating in the nest and around 100 volunteers from the Lake District Osprey Project team are looking after the birds and their nest.

The new arrivals are the first for the osprey pair this year after they arrived back in the Lake District last month. Nathan Fox, of the Lake District Osprey Project, said: “We’re thrilled to see the arrival of the first osprey chicks of the season and look forward to seeing another new face in the coming days.

“This is always a nervous time for the project team so it is a great relief when the first eggs hatch.” The male osprey, known as ‘No Ring’, has successfully reared six young with his current partner and had previously reared 10 young with the female osprey he originally paired up with in 2001.

He has delivered more than 100 fish to the nest for the female but he is expected to double that to cope with the demands of his off-spring. A spokesperson for the LDOP said the chicks should make their first flights in August and stay in the area until early September. Thousands of tourists have already visited the Bassenthwaite area so far this year to get a glimpse of the ospreys. Visitors can get see the birds from a viewpoint in Dodd Wood, 400 metres away from the nest. The viewpoint is open during daylight hours, with staff on hand with telescopes from 10am to 5pm.

Donald Campbell’s iconic Bluebird K7 will be allowed to breach the 10mph speed limit on the lake where he died, national park officials have decided.

Campbell was killed on Coniston Water in Cumbria in 1967 while trying to break a world speed record.

The boat was recovered from the lake in 2001 and is currently being restored.

On Wednesday, the Lake District National Park Authority said it would permit Bluebird to reach 100mph in a one-off “seaworthiness” trial.

The current lake byelaws do not allow any speed in excess of 10mph, except in a legitimate bid for a national or world speed record.

The park authority’s chief executive Richard Leafe said: “It was a majority vote in favour of running Bluebird K7 on Coniston Water for a one-off proving trial.

“But members were against the regular running of Bluebird K7 on the lake. They felt that that that would be a step too far.”

BBC news, 20th May 2009

Annual Medieval Market, stalls, crafts, street entertainment, fun for all the family. Full details to be confirmed.

Country Fest gives a real taste of the countryside, celebrating the quality and diversity of the superb independent food and drink producers and suppliers that abound in Cumbria and the North West.

Alongside a full programme of talks and demonstrations, visitors can also learn where their food comes from in the “Why Farming Matters” Zone, which will include a wide range of farm animals. An Eco Zone, Wedding Fayre, wide variety of trade stands along with a packed Demonstration Arena, childrens’ activities and entertainment and lots of good music ensure a great day out for the whole family.

Urgent measures are needed to protect lakes in England and Wales from pollution and climate change, according to the Environment Agency.

The call for action comes as experts gather at Windermere in Cumbria to discuss ways to safeguard England’s largest lake.

Windermere faces threats including invasive species and farming pollution.

The Agency said it planned to assess about 730 lakes to ensure they meet new European water standards.

The EU’s Water Framework Directive will impose exacting requirements on lakes and rivers, to be met, in some cases, by 2015.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Environment Agency chairman Lord Chris Smith will stress the important role lakes play in the natural environment and the difficulties they face.

These include global warming, which is expected to cause more flooding and wash pollution into lakes.

Lakes ‘invaluable’

At Windermere, pesticides and fertilisers from farming are contributing to regular blue-green algal blooms which prevent people from going into the water.

The lake is also threatened by invasive New Zealand Pigmyweed, which is smothering other plants.

The Agency’s director of environment and business, Tricia Henton, said: “While water quality in our rivers has improved dramatically over the past 20 years, lakes have faced different, more complex environmental challenges.

“They are an important part of our environment and every bit as important as our rivers. They are invaluable to tourism.

“That’s why the Environment Agency and its partners are setting out a blueprint to bring life back to our lakes, creating a better environment for people and wildlife.”

 BBC News, 19/05/09

Annual show now with cars, trade stands, club stands, hot and cold food and licensed bar. Proceeds to be divided between the Child Development Centre F.G.H. and the Air Ambulance.

Fair on Gooseholme with music, food, displays, table top sale, competitions; a good afternoon for all ages.

Proceeds in aid of church funds, Kendal Shopmobility and Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships is an international Christian charity using hospital ships and land-based programmes to deliver specialised health care and community development services to the forgotten poor. Mercy Ships programmes promote health and well-being by serving the urgent surgical needs of the poor and empowering developing communities.