Goodbye Foulshaw. The long journey begins
 

The days are shortening and the signs of autumn are beginning to appear. The time is fast approaching for our ospreys to leave their breeding grounds and head towards their wintering destinations.

In fact, we think two of our adult females may have already begun their journeys.

The last confirmed sighting of Blue 35 was on Sunday 9 August, when she was seen on one of the perching trees. Blue 717 was last spotted by one of our wonderful volunteers on Friday 14 August.

We don't know exactly where either female spends the winter. They are likely to follow a broadly southerly route, heading towards France and Spain and potentially continuing onwards towards the west coast of Africa.

They may spend the winter somewhere on the Iberian Peninsula, or they may continue much further south. Along the way, they could stop at suitable sites for several days to rest and feed before continuing their journey. Alternatively, they may cover long distances between breaks, stopping only when they need to refuel with a freshly caught fish.

For us, there is still so much mystery surrounding their journeys.

A perilous journey
 

For the five youngsters, however, the story is very different. This will be their first migration and a journey into the unknown.

Unlike many migrating birds, young ospreys don't make this journey accompanied by their parents or siblings. Each youngster must set off alone, guided by instinct and responding to the weather and conditions they encounter along the way.

They will head south, just as their parents do, but they have none of their parents' experience to draw upon. Strong winds could push them far from their intended route, and easterly winds could potentially carry them towards the Atlantic.

Every young osprey will have to find its own way. It really is a flight of chance.

Alone for the first time

Migration isn't simply about flying thousands of miles. Once the youngsters reach unfamiliar territory, they will have to work everything else out for themselves.

They must find safe places to roost, discover suitable fishing grounds and learn where they can perch safely while eating their catch.

They have spent the summer watching their parents expertly catch fish around the Foulshaw nests. Some may even have practised their own fishing dives, but it is unlikely that any of them has yet mastered the skill of catching enough fish to sustain themselves.

Now they will have to learn. And they will have to learn quickly.

Survival of the fittest
 

Life in their wintering grounds will bring another set of challenges. The youngsters will need to identify safe roosting sites, avoid predators and compete for food and territory.

Sadly, the first few years of an osprey's life are the most dangerous, and the survival rate of juvenile ospreys is low.

Our five youngsters, however, have had an excellent start. They are strong, well fed and in good condition after a successful summer at Foulshaw Moss.

We can only hope that each one navigates the hazards ahead and survives the journey.

And perhaps, one day, we'll see those familiar rings again.

Imagine the excitement of spotting one of our youngsters returning to the UK in a couple of years' time as a confident young osprey, ready to begin the next chapter of its life.

The last to leave
 

While Blue 35 and Blue 717 may already be on their way south, White YW and Blue 476 will probably be among the last to leave Foulshaw.

Both males have spent the summer working tirelessly to provide fish for their families. Even after their youngsters fledged, the fishing continued as the juveniles learned to fly, land and become increasingly independent.

Soon their work will be done.

Until next year...
 

Soon the nests will be empty.

The familiar sounds of hungry chicks will disappear, the fish deliveries will stop and the webcams will show little more than an empty platform swaying in the autumn breeze.

But the story doesn't really end.

Somewhere beyond Foulshaw Moss, five young ospreys will be beginning the greatest journey of their lives. We will be hoping that they find their way south, survive the challenges ahead and, perhaps one day, return to the place where their own story began.

So keep watching the webcam and checking social media. Even though the ospreys may now be spending less time around the nests, our wonderful volunteers and Cumbria Wildlife Trust staff will continue to keep an eye on Foulshaw Moss and share any sightings.

For now, we can only wish our ospreys safe travels.

Fly well, little ones. Foulshaw will be waiting for you.