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A look back as we end the season. What a year! 6 chicks from 3 nests, the most we've ever had. Thanks to all who've watched webcams, followed posts and come along. We've met such lovely people. It's been an honour and a privilege. See you next year. #FoulshawOspreys #birds #cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Thank you for reading them and supporting us!

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

YW, Master of the Moss, has a staring contest with the internet. He wins. He's still here, resting after a hectic season, but will fly off soon. This is the last weekend we'll have people at the reserve so hope to see some of you for a fond farewell! #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Here's the most recent update of what we know about the chicks. www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/blog/foulsha... As they usually don't return from Africa until they are three, there is usually little info about them till then. So glad that you are enjoying their story!

cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

Osprey pair Blue 35 and White YW offspring update | Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Here's an updated summary of the Foulshaw Moss osprey pair's offspring since 2014.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Sorry! Previously on Foushaw Ospreys... an unringed chick turned up, demanding to be fed. YW fostered and fed it for several weeks, delaying his own migration to do so. Very unusual behaviour. bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Cumbria osprey feeding chick not its own 'unusual', say experts

The bird, at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve in Cumbria, is bringing fish to a chick which is not his.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Some chicks return from migration after 2 years to mooch about. This year we even had a 1 year old visitor, who most likely wintered in Spain and didn't have too far to return. Thank you for the very kind words. It means a lot that we have the support of so many people.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Intruder alert! YW has a visitor, 5M4, a 2024 chick from north Wales. Juveniles wander around looking for future nest sites. This one's not available. Perhaps he's panicking that he'll have to foster and feed an extra chick like he did last year! #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Hi Dawn. Apologies for the obscure terminology! When Osprey chicks hatch they quickly sit up, but in a rather wobbly fashion. That has earned them the nickname Bobbleheads or Bobs for short. According to our Welsh friends, there it's Pen Bobl!

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Yes indeed. It was like the relative that won't leave after Christmas!

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Making a song and dance. On nest two the Bobs are screeching away for breakfast then performing a rather elegant little dance to get into position to grab it. They seem to be hanging around longer than the nest 1 Bobs. #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Gesundheit! You raise an interesting point about pre-migratory anxiety behaviour. It's most commonly seen in migratory species held in captivity. It does occur in wild birds, sometimes in Ospreys. But Osprey nest fettling is a constant process and behaviour that's seen throughout the season.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

It's reckoned that only about one in 500 or even 1000 trees are suitable for an Osprey nest. Giving them a flat, stable platform gives them a head start. The nest 1 platform was installed in the hope that it might be occupied. Our dynamic duo did the rest.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

YW is alone now. It seems that the Bobs have gone. He is rearranging the nest, which is now a flat helipad for the youngsters. Then he suddenly drops down. And he digs. He is creating a hollow for next season's eggs. There is always hope. #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

"Oi Jeff!" "What?" "Behind you!" "What?!" "An Osprey!" "Where?" "Behind you!!!" "Oh, yeah. I'll play it cool for a minute then disappear." YW is not too sure about this AirBnB arrangement. #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Two years ago the male, 476, built a natural nest in that tree. It wasn't really fit for purpose, so over the winter the tree was shored up with a huge stake and a platform attached with nest material. He came back last year and was quite impressed with his handiwork!

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Superb shots by Rob of the Bobs in action on nest 2. Not long to go now till they head off on their epic hols.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Sound up! Why do male Ospreys always respond to begging calls from chicks or females by bringing fish? To stop this infernal racket! Here are two of the nest 2 Bobs harmonising - one on top of the camera. #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

YW has a bad hair day! Although mums have gone now, there are still 6 chicks and 3 dads at Foulshaw. They'll be here for about 2 weeks before migration. Ospreys returned to Cumbria in 2001. We now have at least 18 pairs. YW is a big part of that story. #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Every stick has its place. Never too soon to start fettling the nest for next year. The early season 'egg cup' shape is long gone. It's now a flat 'helipad' for the Bobs to land on. This nest is 13 years old and has grown to the size of a double bed! #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Superb photos. And congrats for surviving the dragonfly stare!

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Who's the daddy? YW has some quiet time on the nest. Blue 35 has laid 39 eggs and fledged 34 chicks, but he's the one that has fed and protected them all. When she has migrated he keeps doing that till the chicks are ready to go. He's the daddy. #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Hello there. At the very least there will be the three dads and six chicks still on the reserve - possible mum from nest three. There's still a really good chance to see them.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The mighty hunter strikes! Bob catches a fish. OK, Dad left it there earlier and she only hopped down from the webcam, but you have to start somewhere! In 2-3 weeks she'll need to start for real as she heads south on her own. They have to grow up fast. #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

On Sunday we still had 3 at nest 1, 4 at nest 2 and 3 at nest 3. Ten Ospreys roaming around!

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Aw, thank you! Really appreciate that.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Meet the neighbours! Here's 8K9 on the new nest 3 with his mum, who has no rings. Most English and Welsh birds are ringed so she may well be from Scotland where there are now too many to ring! Welcome to the new family and we hope to see you next year! #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Things are really taking off! Some news. This year we had 4 nests, 2 on the south side, which isn't publicly accessible. Nest 3 had a male chick, 8K9. Nest 4 pair didn't breed this time. The new adults haven't been IDed yet, but here's hoping they'll all be back. #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

We're pretty sure that they've both gone now. It's around the usual time for them to start a leisurely migration - and get a bit of peace and quiet at least.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Pancake pounce! Dad delivers a flatfish for breakfast. How powerful are Ospreys' eyes? They can see a flat brown fish lying on brown sand in brown muddy estuary water. From 10 metres up. And Bob can spot it from the top of the webcam and pounce! #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

We think that she has headed off now for a well-earned, leisurely trip south.

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

"Dad says no breakfast till I tidy my room." The nest building instinct is strong, even at this age. It will be three years before she will do this for real, but no harm getting some practice in! #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Good morning! Bob flies in. Starts shouting for fish. Scratches itchy back. Forgets what she was doing... Oh yes, shouting for fish! The chicks will be around for about another 3 weeks or so before they start their big adventure. We're going to miss them! #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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Foulshaw Ospreys @foulshaw2.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

"They must have left something for us!" Possibly not. Ospreys have a long small intestine with very strong enzymes to break down and absorb the fish they eat - even the bones. Not many scraps for the crows! #Birds #Nature #Cumbria

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