FOR the fifth year running, a pair of breeding ospreys has returned to South Lakeland’s biggest nature reserve.

Their return has given rise to the hope that chicks will soon be hatching.

Blue 35 and White YW, the two ospreys who successfully raised and fledged two chicks last year, have returned to Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, near Witherslack, which is managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

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The female (Blue 35) landed on the nest first on Thursday March 30 and within minutes, her partner White YW arrived. It is the first time they have returned on the same day. The two claimed the same nest they have used since 2013 and arrived a few days earlier this year, helped by the southerly winds.

Paul Waterhouse, Reserves Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “After weeks of speculation, it is always a hugely exciting event when the breeding ospreys return to Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve.

"As one of only a small handful of breeding sites in Cumbria, it’s wonderful to have these magnificent birds returning to us year on year.

“They have returned to Cumbria following a mammoth 2,000 mile migration from West Africa or the southern coast of Spain, where they will have spent the winter months.

"This journey will have taken them about 20 days, stopping only to rest, feed and sleep. We now eagerly await the arrival of osprey chicks, which should hopefully happen within the next month.

"To follow these events unfolding, watch our live, 24-hour osprey cam, which this year also has sound! You can also visit the nature reserve to view them – we have telescopes set up. Thanks to a grant from Cumbria Fells and Dales LEADER Programme, the entrance to the reserve has just been improved and reopened, so making your way on to the nature reserve from the A590 is even easier now.”

The unusual names of the ospreys come from the birds’ leg rings, which are used to identify all sorts of birds and are attached to many ospreys originating in the UK when they are young.

The blue or white part of the name refers to the colour of the ring and the letters are printed on the ring itself. Using this system scientists are able to see how ospreys have spread over the UK from other nesting sites – Blue 35 was raised at Kielder Forest in Northumberland.

To view the osprey cam online go to www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/osprey-cam. Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve is located off the A590 near Witherslack. Full directions are available on http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/foulshaw-moss. You can also join in the conversation on social media using #FoulshawOspreys.