THE flutter of tiny feathers is expected again this year at South Lakeland’s biggest nature reserve, Foulshaw Moss, near Witherslack.

Blue 35 and White YW, the two ospreys that successfully raised and fledged three chicks last year, have returned to Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve.

The female, Blue 35, was spotted on Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Osprey Cam on Saturday (2 April), closely followed by the male bird, White YW, on Sunday (3 April).

The two have claimed the same nest they used for the last two years and have been seen courting, including some impressive displaying from the male bird.

The unusual names 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.

Simon Thomas, Reserves Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, says: “Ospreys spend the winter in Africa then return to Europe in spring to breed.

"Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve is a particularly good spot for raising chicks as birds can both fish in Morecambe Bay, where last year they caught a lot of flat fish, and they also catch fresh water fish in the lakes to the north. Ospreys’ instinct to breed is strong and they have been observed flying well over 100km a day and up to 48 hours non-stop on their return trip.

"Last year and in 2014 the same parents raised three chicks each year, a pretty impressive record!”

You can watch the exploits of this beautiful osprey pair online via a web camera as they hopefully raise their chicks right through until September at www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/osprey-cam or head to Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve in person, which is open to visitors all year round, and can be found off the A590 near Witherslack.