NEWS All the latest news from Cumbria and beyond HOLME PARK QUARRY
WILDNEWS Geology rocks
A new interpretation panel showcasing the fascinating geology of the area has recently been installed at Holme Park Quarry Nature Reserve, near Burton-in-Kendal. Te panel was unveiled by Dr Peter Woodhead, a Vice President of the Trust, during a guided walk led by reserves officer Scot Petrek for Grange Natural History Society and members of Cumbria GeoConservation. Te panel, which has been funded by Holcim UK (formerly known as Aggregate Industries), has been installed at a viewpoint overlooking the working quarry, where a dramatic ‘island’ of rock reveals millions of years of geology. Sylvia Woodhead, of Cumbria GeoConservation said: “We are really pleased that this board has been installed Te geology viewpoint is unique in Cumbria in showing the dark Woodbine Shale between the white layers of Urswick Limestone.”
The little tern is limited to just a few nesting sites
FOULNEY ISLAND AND SOUTH WALNEY Litle terns breed
We’re delighted to report that the summer nesting season at Foulney Island and South Walney nature reserves, near Barrow-in-Furness, has ended with the successful breeding of litle terns at both sites. At South Walney Nature Reserve, 14 litle tern chicks fledged, whilst at nearby Foulney Island Nature Reserve, 12 chicks fledged. Tis is particularly significant for the species, as the Trust’s nature reserves were the only two sites in the North West where litle terns have successfully nested this year. Te 2025 breeding season has also been productive for other shore nesting birds, including oystercatcher and ringed plover. Tis highlights the importance of the species protection efforts the Trust’s wardens implement to protect the birds, such as protective fencing, monitoring and engaging with people to minimise disturbance.
FOULSHAW MOSS Ospreys move in
2025 has seen another exciting season for the resident ospreys at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, near Witherslack. As always, we were pleased to see our resident pair Blue 35 and White YW returned to their site. However, they now have neighbours. Te pair built a nest last year and, anticipating they would return to breed, the Trust built a new viewing platform that provides amazing views
32 Cumbrian Wildlife | November 2025
of these magnificent birds, even without binoculars. Te male bird is Blue 476 and female is Blue 717. Over the summer the young pair reared their first chick, which was ringed Blue 9K4 on 22 July. Not forgeting our original pair, White YW and Blue 35 successfully reared three young this season, bringing the total number of chicks raised by this pair to 32.
Osprey chick Blue 9K4 is hopefully the first of many chicks to be reared by Foulshaw’s new pair.
The new interpretation panel at Holme Park Quarry Nature Reserve.
© SIMON ROBERTS
© REBEKAH WATTS
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