New Female Osprey At Perthshire Reserve Lays First Egg
The new female osprey at the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve, near Dunkeld, has laid her first egg of the season.
Wildlife enthusiasts from around the world have waited for this osprey to lay an egg after days of being unsettled on the nest.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust Perthshire ranger, Charlotte Fleming, said: “At around 10.30pm last night, the new female osprey laid her first egg and this has caused plenty of excitement for the staff and volunteers here.
“Now there is an egg on the nest, the Osprey Protection Programme will begin in earnest.
“Thanks to our supporters, including players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the Trust operates a 24-hour watch on the nest site to ensure the safety of the birds and the egg.
“Hopefully, in the coming days there will be more eggs as ospreys can lay up to four in a season.”
Ospreys can lay up to four eggs, usually around 48 hours apart, this raises hope that there will be chicks on the nest this year.
The new osprey’s predecessor, affectionately known by many as ‘Lady’, did not produce any chicks in what may have been her final year at the Loch of the Lowes.