Osprey at Foulshaw Moss

Common cotton grass at Foulshaw Moss

Osprey have returned to breed at Foulshaw Moss and we headed for the viewing platform.  It rises from birch carr, its feet in water, so you cross a wobbly platform that can respond to flood and rising water.  We had planned to visit earlier in the month but heavy rains and strong winds suggested we postpone the visit. The day was cloudy but that only made the light more interesting.  A reed bunting sang in the birch trees at our backs and we admired him and the ospreys too.  The osprey nest is at a distance, so a telescope is essential.

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I like the Foulshaw experience: flora and fauna.   A few tall trees remain from the time of plantation and the osprey make use of them.  A replica nest shows it to be large and loosely constructed. Through the telescope, we could make out the nest in the top of a conifer- with an adult osprey.  The day was rather hazy, sunlight only fleeting, but I spied the pale head of a second adult that flew into the nest.  The osprey experience - seeing the birds about the nest- is more exciting than the images. You need tripod ( for a slightly shaky viewing platform) and powerful camera for better photographs than I secured.
Reed bunting were all around us, and easier to photograph. 
Seed-heads of cotton grass are so evocative.  Fine threads of white had blown onto the budding flowers of cross-leaved heath. There were blood-red sundew lurking in the moss and leafy shrubs of bog myrtle.  
Before we left, we spent a few moments watching last year's video footage of the nesting osprey- edited to appear as if the birds were constantly mating.  Handsome birds they are.