We're delighted to announce that three osprey chicks have hatched at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve in south Cumbria. This is the seventh year running that a pair of breeding ospreys - Blue 35 and White YW – have successfully hatched a brood at the nature reserve near Witherslack.

The female, Blue 35, and her mate White YW returned in late March, following their long migration, most likely from West Africa or Southern Spain. The first chick hatched on Sunday 24 May, followed by the second on Tuesday 26 and the third on Friday 29 May.

Paul Waterhouse, Reserves Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, says: “We were delighted to see the first of the osprey chicks emerge live on our osprey webcam on Sunday – it made for great bank holiday viewing! Since then two more have hatched and all three seem to be thriving and feeding well. The parents Blue 35 and White YW are an incredibly successful breeding pair, having raised 16 chicks so far since 2014. We hope that all three chicks will continue to do well and fledge the nest later this summer.”

Because of social distancing measures in place on the nature reserve this osprey season, Paul explains that the best way to keep in touch with the osprey chicks’ progress is to follow the live webcam: “We’re encouraging everyone to watch our osprey cam - you’ll see amazing close up footage of the nest, from the comfort of your own home!

“You’ll be able to see highlights such as the ospreys bringing back fish for the chicks and follow important milestones, such as when the chicks start to fly. This is a great way to ensure that you stay connected to this amazing wildlife spectacle over the coming months. And if you’re missing visiting the nature reserve in person, don’t forget you can also enjoy our immersive online 360-degree virtual tour. With dramatic, panoramic views, you can look around Foulshaw Moss as if you’re really there, zoom into the osprey nest and viewing points, and read fascinating facts about these great birds of prey.”