After a 3,000-mile journey from West Africa the Rutland ospreys have begun to lay their eggs at their nest in Leicestershire.
The second osprey egg was laid at about 12.45pm today (SAT) at the birds' home at Manton Bay, in Rutland Water.
The first was spotted by staff at the site on Wednesday evening.
Of the 11 ospreys which returned from Africa in March, there are just two breeding pairs, which means that only about three eggs are expected this year.
Lizzie Lemon, information officer, at Rutland Water, said: "We've got a live webcam feed coming into the visitor centre, so we know when the eggs are laid and can begin to keep a watch on them."
Lizzie said because the eggs are rare they are coveted by collectors, and staff must keep them under surveillance 24-hours-a-day.
"Theft is a concern," said Lizzie. "Egg collectors will take them from the nests, which is not a good thing as we only get about three laid each year."
The Rutland site is just one of three known habitats for ospreys in England and Wales.
The birds are tracked by satellite to see where they migrate to and to which of the three British sites they return.
To find out more about the ospreys, visit: www.ospreys.org.uk
