The Tweed Valley Osprey Project is celebrating the arrival of its regular breeding pair of ospreys which have migrated all the way from Africa.

After weeks of anxious waiting, the project's volunteers were treated to the first view of the female on the nest in April.

She was joined later by her regular mate of five years. They wasted no time in romantic reunions and got down to ' renovating ' the nest, seeing off a rival and then mating.

“What a relief to have them both arrived safely" said Emma Rawling, Osprey Centre Officer.

"It's a long and hazardous migration route from Africa every year, so we never take their appearance for granted and it's always a cause for big celebrations."

The birds' safe arrival bodes well for the breeding season ahead and Emma and her volunteers hope to be showing members of the public some amazing live footage of the birds from the viewing centres at Glentress Forest and Kailzie Gardens.

Run by Forestry Commission Scotland and RSPB Scotland, the centres are showing live camera action of the famous ospreys and a number of other local bird species. A record number of 18 osprey chicks were successfully reared in the Scottish Borders this season, 11 more than in the previous year.

Emma added: "We've now installed even bigger viewing screens in the centres so visitors will really have a bird's eye view of all the goings on."

The Tweed Valley Osprey Project is a partnership involving Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Kailzie Gardens and is funded in part by Scottish Natural Heritage.

How to get there

Glentress Forest  is two miles east of Peebles on the A72 road

Kailzie Gardens is tw  miles east of Peebles on the B7062 road