After the heart-breaking disappointment of last year when her eggs failed to hatch, a record-breaking osprey is proving that age knows no bounds.
Just after 7am this morning, the first of Lady’s clutch began to show signs of hatching. Rangers at the Loch of the Lowes reserve, near Dunkeld, had spent the weekend keeping a close eye on the 26-year-old raptor as D-Day approached.
Other than turning her eggs more than usual, there was no other excitement on the nest until today.
Scottish Wildlife Trust ranger Emma Rawling said: “Our female osprey’s behaviour changed this morning and, as her breakfast arrived, she was reluctant to take it from the male. When she finally stood up, we saw why the egg tooth of the first chick was clearly visible breaking through the shell.
“The process of hatching can take many hours, so this is just the first stage but it is brilliant news!”
Lady has been celebrated by conservationists for making a significant contribution to boosting osprey numbers in Scotland as part of one of 200 nesting pairs. In her lifetime, she has laid 64 eggs, with 48 chicks going on to hatch and successfully fledge the nest.
It is hoped that this latest arrival will add to her impressive record and, in the following days, the other two eggs are expected to start hatching.For more from the osprey nest, see Tuesday’s Courier