A PAIR of rare ospreys have gone on show to the public, marking a first for the UK.
The pair, called Trout and Salmon, are the star attractions at the Birds of Prey Centre at Sion Hill Hall, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.
They were imported from a breeder in mainland Europe and are the first captive-bred ospreys in Britain.
Trout and Salmon, male and female birds respectively, are only ten-months old, but with a wingspan of about 4ft, are already fully grown.
The pair live off a diet of fresh rainbow trout and rats.
Head falconer Ben Potter said: "It is a real privilege to work with these two rare and magnificent birds. Having the first ever captive-bred birds makes it very special."
Mr Potter spends two to three hours a day with the birds, getting them used to being handled.
The centre hopes they will take part in flying displays late this year or early next year. The aim is to breed from the pair and release birds into the wild.
The centre is open every day until October 31. Flying displays are held daily at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
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