Raptor romance in the Angus air as rivals battle for osprey’s affection

Raptor romance is keeping eyes glued to the skies of a nature reserve.

The tranquil Balgavies Loch has grown in popularity since it became the scene of the first recorded osprey hatching in Angus two years ago.

While focus turned to the Loch of the Lowes reserve in neighbouring Perthshire where Lady has just laid her first egg of the season things have been hotting up at Balgavies, where two males have been vying for the affection of the Angus female.

The resident male’s arrival was recorded at the end of last month, followed soon after by his partner.

Balgavies regulars were then intrigued to see a third bird arrive on the scene and the interloper has surprisingly stuck around in a forlorn bid to capture the affections of his intended target.

Warden Jim Hughes said: “The behaviour is great entertainment for visitors and I have seen a lot of new faces at the hide, particularly youngsters with this parents, which is great.

“We can’t know for sure, but I would be hopeful that the female has already laid at least one egg, and once she has finished laying I would then expect to see her spend much more time on the nest.”