The birds of prey nest at Cors Dyfi reserve, near Machynlleth
A project that allows people to watch one of Wales' rarest birds has secured funding for another four years.
The Dyfi Osprey Project has been awarded £248,500 from the Countryside Council of Wales' Communities and Nature Project (CAN).
The birds of prey nest at Cors Dyfi nature reserve, managed by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust (MWT), near Machynlleth.
A record 6,000 people visited the reserve last month.
This funding will allow for the development of further opportunities for watching the ospreys, and embed them more fully into the other nature-watching possibilities at Cors Dyfi.
Also, the visitor centre will be enlarged and improved and the existing camera systems for observing the ospreys will be upgraded and their functionality improved, particularly the sound systems.
The money will also pay for better signage and interpretation on the rest of the reserve will be complemented by additional information and audio-visual material on ospreys.
The trust runs the Dyfi Osprey Project as a community initiative with a group of more than 30 local volunteers to deliver the project both through the medium of Welsh and English.
The new funding will aim to strengthen the community aspects of the project and there will be a greatly extended programme of events on the reserve, featuring moth evenings, nightjar walks, wetland botany, and fun events for children and adults.
Monty the male Osprey is expected to arrive by the end of May
Also, a more focussed outreach effort to disadvantaged groups will be accompanied by a structured programme of volunteer training.
Project manager, Emyr Evans, said: " "Up to a few years ago, ospreys had become extinct in Wales for over 400 years.
"We can now show these magnificent, fish-eating birds of prey to a whole new generation of people in Mid Wales, and also improve the project year on year so that the Dyfi Osprey Project can become a premier wildlife attraction in Wales."
The female osprey returned to the reserve on 4 April and the male is expected to arrive by the end of May.
Mr Evans said: "He did not return until 28 May last year so we are hopeful he is on his way.
"The osprey is our rarest bird and was last recorded as a breeding species in Mid Wales over 400 years ago.
"All the staff will be keeping a skyward look-out over the next few days and weeks in the hope that our male, nicknamed 'Monty' returns home safely."