A 25-year-old osprey has astounded experts at Loch of the Lowes by producing her first egg of the breeding season.
The UK’s oldest breeding female returned to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) reserve last month for the 20th consecutive year.
Now the osprey, whose age raised doubts about her fertility, has been spotted protecting an egg by wildlife watchers who have followed the drama of this year’s breeding season online at www.swt.org.uk
The images are streamed to a big screen at the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre, where visitors have been flocking since the bird returned last month.
Ospreys live an average of eight years and are estimated to produce 20 eggs.
The lifespan and reproductive abilities of this individual osprey are considered “remarkable” by experts.
SWT Perthshire ranger Emma Rawling said, “We are jumping for joy here at Loch of the Lowes and from the comments on our blog those watching with us online are as delighted as we are.
“This individual bird is truly a wonder of nature.”
She added, “This is the 56th egg she has produced, and so far 46 chicks have successfully fledged the nest over previous breeding seasons.”
