Images of the empty nest at Foulshaw Moss nature reserve have been described as a 'bittersweet sight' as the two young ospreys are now able to fledge the nest.

The offspring of parents Blue 35 and White YW took flight last week shortly after they were tagged with ID rings.

The youngsters, which were affectionately known as the 'bobbleheads' when they hatched in May, were ID tagged as OC5 and OC6 by staff at Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

READ MORE: Foulshaw Moss Osprey chicks get their special ID bracelets

The identification is to help conservationists track the birds’ movements and understand their life history for when they fledge the nest. 

Previous chicks from Foulshaw Moss have been identified in The Gambia where they tend to spend the winter.

29 osprey chicks have been tagged since the parent ospreys starting breeding at the wetland nature reserve in 2014.

(Image: Cumbria Wildlife Trust) Anyone who follows the CWT ospreys cams knows that spring is a precarious time with some eggs failing to hatch - two out of three survived this year.

CWT volunteer Jenny Cornell described in her blog how 2024 had been particularly difficult for the 'bobs' to learn to fly. 

She said: "This summer hasn’t been very kind to our osprey family. The nest has been soaked with endless rain and has frequently been battered by storm force winds.

"However, our ospreys have managed to thrive; White YW has brought in plenty of fish and Blue 35 has kept the young birds dry and safe.

"The young are hunkered down on a stormy day. Mum skilfully flies in to remove a piece of bark precariously flapping in the wind. If you blinked you would have missed it.

"Opportunities for wing exercising and strengthening, though, have been limited with very few calm, dry, sunny days for the youngsters to safely stretch those wings and try to take to the sky.

"So they have done amazingly well to successfully fledge with very little practice at just over seven weeks old."

'Lift off' happened on July 17 when 0C6 flapping turned into flying. 

He proceeded to do a 'lap of honour' as his sibling tried hard to do the same.

It was Blue 0C5's turn just 24 hours later and both safely negotiated returns to the nest with reasonably soft landings.

The dedicated Foulshaw Moss Ospreys X account said: "Good news that both Bobs are now airborne, but an empty nest is sad to see. However, they won't have gone far yet and will be back for meals and bedtime till they are a bit older."

The youngster will still rely on their parents for catching and delivering their meals so there will be regular returns to the nest. 

(Image: Cumbria Wildlife Trust) Dad, White YW, will be busy over the next few weeks bringing plenty of fish to prepare the youngsters for their marathon journey back to Africa at the end of the summer.

Mum, Blue 35 will be the first to leave for the wintering grounds as she gains strength following several weeks of nurturing.

Jenny added: "Now is a good time to visit as you may get to see all four of the ospreys as they take to the sky. Keep an eye on the webcam too to see how these youngsters develop and get ready for their next adventure."