Maya the osprey is first to return to nest at Rutland Water

A well-known osprey has returned home to Rutland Water.

Maya, a female osprey, first settled at the reservoir in 2009 and makes an annual trip to Africa for the winter.

The journey, which ranges from 3,000km to 4,000km, takes between three and four weeks, and is fraught with danger.

Ospreys, which feed solely on fish, can survive for up to four days without food and need such inner reserves to cross the arid Sahara Desert.

They are also shot in some countries, and have to avoid predators such as eagle owls and coyotes.

Maya was captured on a wildlife camera on Tuesday (March 12) returning home to her nest in Manton. People can watch the feed live here.

A photo of the popular bird was shared on the Rutland Osprey Project Facebook page this afternoon and has already received hundreds of likes.

Maya is the most successful breeding female at Rutland Water, producing 37 chicks to date.