Last updated at 16:42, Friday, 04 November 2011

University of Cumbria wildlife and media student Sarah-Jane Cherrie has become the official photographer and film-maker for the Lake District Osprey Project.

Sarah-Jane Cherrie

She will work with the project over the next three years, following every move of the protected birds.

Sarah-Jane, 42, now lives in Carlisle but has worked around the world including as a teacher of business in Russia and Libya.

She said: “My family all work and farm in north Cumbria and when my husband and I returned to Cumbria 18 months ago, I wanted to go back to studying in an area I have always been interested in.”

She volunteered at the osprey project at Whinlatter near Keswick this summer, when two chicks were raised.

All four birds have now flown south to the Gambia for the winter, but there’s still plenty to do, with nests to build and live camera feeds to install.

Sarah said: “Being able to take photographs with the osprey project is an incredible opportunity. I managed to capture some amazing images and film of the ospreys this summer.

“I’ve now been put on the licence necessary to allow me closer access to these protected species, so I’m really looking forward to working with the project when the birds return next spring.”

The project’s manager Nathan Fox said: “It has been a huge step forward for the osprey project to have Sarah on board this season.

“Her dedication has resulted in a steady supply of footage which thousands of visitors have enjoyed.

“Hopefully, she will also be able to make a record of the work that goes on behind the scenes, even throughout the winter, to share with our many followers.”

Sarah-Jane is one of two students on the course whose work is in demand.

Cain Scrimgeour, 20, has just returned from filming the return of 70,000 geese to a loch in Scotland.

He is in his third and final year of the degree course and his footage of the RSPB reserve on Loch Strathbeg in Aberdeenshire was used by the BBC during this season’s Autumnwatch series.

First published at 14:11, Friday, 04 November 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk