Female osprey fends off intruder in dramatic return to Foulshaw Moss

Cumbria Wildlife Trust has welcomed the lovebirds again for the 12th year running with Blue 35 returning a few days later than male White YW.

Hopes are high for another successful breeding season at the wetland nature reserve near Witherslack.

READ MORE: Male osprey returns to Cumbria from Africa as he prepares nest for female lovebird

The osprey pair first nested at Foulshaw Moss in 2013 and a year later raised their first chicks. Since then they have successfully raised 27 chicks.

White WY arrived on Sunday 24 March with Blue 35 arriving a few days later than expected on Thursday 28 March.

Her return was once again dramatic as this time, she arrived at a crowded nest.

In addition to her mate, there was also an intruder osprey there - which she quickly dispatched.

Paul Waterhouse, Reserves Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: "Last year we had a few nerve-wracking days, as White YW returned first but his mate Blue 35 didn’t arrive till five days later.

"She arrived a few days later this year too, but we’re delighted to see them both now back at their summer home here at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, having once again safely made the 4,000-mile-long migration.

"Last year we celebrated a real landmark – the 10th consecutive year of osprey chicks at Foulshaw Moss. This year, will we reach another landmark? Maybe 30 osprey chicks raised here since 2014? Keep watching our live streaming webcam to find out!”

“What a great conservation success story this pair of ospreys are! These amazing birds of prey had been wiped out in the early 1900s by persecution, but since then, thanks to brilliant conservation efforts, their population has slowly grown.

"It’s fantastic to see the year-on-year breeding success of the Foulshaw pair playing a key part in this recovery."

To view the ospreys close up, watch the 24-hour live streaming osprey cam, with sound, at the CWT website. 

It costs Cumbria Wildlife Trust around £12,000 to get and keep the osprey web cam running for the season and donations are greatly appreciated here.

Visitors are welcome at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, which is open daily and located near Witherslack, off the A590.

Staff are on hand throughout the season to ensure you get the most out of your visit, including helping you use telescopes to see the osprey nest from one of the viewing platforms.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is also offering special half-day Wildlife Experiences at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve later this summer, to showcase the wealth of wildlife found there.

You’ll have exclusive access to parts of the nature reserve not normally open to the public. Keep an eye on the website for details.