The amazing story of the ospreys of Kielder Forest

by Forestry England in Hexham, England, United Kingdom

The amazing story of the ospreys of Kielder Forest

Total raised £17,156

£30,000 target 25 days left
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  Your donation will be matched

Flexible funding – this project will receive all pledges made by 6th August 2025 at 9:53am

Once driven to extinction, ospreys have returned to Kielder. Watch on our livestream as they raise their young. Support this wildlife story.

by Forestry England in Hexham, England, United Kingdom

 donated match funding
BA Better World Community Fund – Planet is providing live match funding

Be part of an amazing wildlife success story 

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High in the treetops on specially built 8-metre nesting posts in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, something extraordinary is happening. After a 200-year absence, ospreys returned to raise their young in one of the wildest corners of England. 

On 21st March, we were excited to see them return from their incredible 3,700 mile migration from West Africa. 

And thanks to our livestream nest camera,  you can watch their daily lives unfold — from egg-laying to hatching, feeding, and the very first flight of each chick. It’s a rare and moving glimpse into wild family life. 

This amazing project today and your donation will be matched*.

Why we need your support

Once found throughout the UK, ospreys were persecuted and the species became extinct in England in 1847. However, in 2009, ospreys were born in Kielder Forest, and since then, 124 ospreys have successfully fledged.

Despite this success, their incredible story remains fragile.

Kielder’s ospreys face real challenges; harsh weather, migration risks and predators threaten their fragile recovery. This year, three of the six chicks we have been monitoring have died. Nature can be harsh. But there is hope.

You can be part of this wildlife story.

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Thanks to British Airways, your donation will the doubled - for every £1 you give, British Airways will also donate £1, up to a maximum value of £250.  As a special thank you, we'll send a stunning limited edition pin badge to the first 100 people to donate £25 or more.

A gift from you of £25 = £50 to support this incredible project. 

  • A gift of £10 will help improve equipment to livestream the ospreys fascinating lives.
  • A gift of £25 will help install new 8 metre high nest poles and nesting platforms for the ospreys.
  • A gift of £50 will help invest in nest cameras that will allow us to discover new wildlife insights.

Every donation — big or small — helps to protect an unfolding drama of new life, hope, and wild beauty.

Who we are:

Forestry England manages more land and trees than any other organisation in England. We provide hundreds of car parks, maintain thousands of miles of trails, and plant millions of trees. 

Our woodlands are some of the best places to spot wildlife from large mammals such as deer, to some of the smaller inhabitants such as bats, dormice, butterflies and red squirrels. The land we manage provides homes for wildlife in moors, heathlands, bogs as well as forests and woodlands.  

Some of our best-loved wildlife, including osprey's, depends on our careful and sustained land management for their survival. 

Working in Partnership:

Forestry England is working in partnership with British Airways to raise funds for this amazing project.  British Airways have allocated matched funding for this project up to a total value of £15,000. Donations will be matched up to the value of £250.

We are also working with other organisations including: Kielder Water and Forest Park Development Trust, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Northumbrian Water and Calvert Kielder and Kielder Water.  

Working together we can achieve so much more.

Key facts:

  • Your gift will be matched by British Airways - a gift of £25 = £50 to support this project.
  • Tune in to the livestream and watch the daily lives of the osprey as they raise their family.
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  • The first 100 people who donate £25 or more, will receive a stunning limited edition osprey pin as a reminder of your kindness.
  • Donate today and be part of this incredible wildlife story.

Thank you.

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Select a reward

This project offers rewards in return for your donation.

£25 or more

16 of 100 claimed

and you could receive a limited edition osprey pin

The first 100 people to donate £25 or more, will receive a stunning, limited edition osprey pin badge to say thank you for supporting wildlife conservation.


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