Female Osprey departs Loch of Lowes reserve

Female Osprey LF15 has left the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of Lowes reserve in Perthshire after rearing a full brood of chicks over the summer.

Published 15th Aug 2016

Female Osprey LF15 or 'Lassie' to local bird enthusiasts has left the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of Lowes reserve in Perthshire after rearing a full brood of chicks over the summer.

LF15 arrived for her second season at the reserve on 18 March, followed a week later by her mate LM12.

The Scottish Widlife Trust has an Osprey Protection Programme and the webcam that monitors the osprey’s nest has been viewed more than one million times since their arrival.

Charlotte Fleming, Perthshire Ranger, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: "We haven’t seen LF15 since Friday so it’s now extremely likely that she has started her long migration south to Africa.

"Last year she left the reserve on 7 August, it’s possible that blustery winds kept her here slightly longer than usual.

"The male LM12 and the three young birds are expected to hang around for a little bit longer before departing, so there is still a good chance to watch ospreys at the reserve this month. "

There’s also a fantastic range of other birdlife for people to see at the reserve, including great crested grebes, goosanders and yellowhammers, and Loch of the Lowes is one of the best places in Perthshire to see red squirrels.”