AN East Lancashire nature reserve’s sixth year has seen a series of landmark events including the discovery of a rare plant, the return of an iconic and endangered bird of prey and arrival of its millionth visitor.

Bosses at Brockholes hope an Osprey making its longest-ever visit and clumps of the Wintergreen plant taking root in the Samlesbury wetland haven will bring in even more wildlife lovers.

On Sunday the reserve, which opened in in April 2011, celebrated its millionth visitor, Luena Archibald, who visited with her children Chloe, nine and Luke, four.

This week it was confirmed that groups of tiny aromatic plants with white, orange and red flowers discovered on the £9.5million reserve were actually Wintergreen, loved by rugby league players and native American Indians

The increasingly rare plant’s leaves have medical properties to protect against cold and relieve symptoms of rheumatism, headaches, fever, and pains.

At the weekend an Osprey, also known as the ‘fish eagle’, arrived for what is normally a brief annual visit as it flies back to Africa from its Scottish and Cumbrian nesting sites.

Instead of flying off within hours, the spectacular black and white bird was still at the reserve last night delighting bird watchers by diving at speed towards the water, stretching out its talons and scooping fish out of the water.

Now Brockholes hope next year the Osprey will return with a mate and instead of flying on use the special platform built for it as a nesting site.

Volunteer Lindsay Griffiths, who discovered the Wintergreen near the Meadow Lake, said: “As far as I know it only grows on sand dunes and heath in Ainsdale and at the Mere Sands Wood reserve near here so it is really rare locally and nationally.”

Alan Wright, campaigns manager for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: “Ospreys have been making flying visits for a few years but this is the longest one has ever stayed here. We are now really hopeful next year a pair will return and nest at Brockholes rather than just fly on North.

“It has been an amazing start to the year.”

Wildlife Trust recruiter Tony Pearson said: “On the first day we spotted the osprey, I think it might have been the most exciting day I have ever had at Brockholes.”

Brockholes general manager Donalda Williams said: “We built an osprey platform on an island at the Meadow Lake two years ago to attract nesting birds. Over the past couple of summers single ospreys have definitely spent time at the reserve raising our hopes even higher.

Wildlife spotted at the 250-acre nature reserve in recent weeks has included kingfisher, grey wagtail, red kite, grey heron, kestrel and chiffchaff.