The first osprey chick of 2019 has hatched at a Perthshire nature reserve.
The chick hatched out at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve near Dunkeld on Saturday, May 11, and was captured live on the Trust’s live webcam feed.
Staff, volunteers and webcam watchers from around the world were given a glimpse of a hole in one of the three eggs in the nest at 6:20 pm. An hour later were rewarded with their first look at a tiny chick.
In the first few hours after hatching, chicks are weak and unable to sit up or lift their heads. However, the young bird will quickly gain strength fuelled on a high protein diet of fish provided by his parents.
Three eggs have been laid by LF15 this season, however staff had doubts about one of the eggs which was left un-incubated for a while.
Sara Rasmussen, Perthshire Ranger, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “We’re delighted to have our first chick of the season.
“We’ve been keeping an eye on the nest around the clock for several weeks to keep it safe from disturbance. Seeing the eggs begin to hatch is hugely rewarding for our team.
“The first few weeks of a chick’s life are exciting to watch because they develop and grow so quickly.
£This fast development is vital to allow them to make a long journey south at the end of summer.”
