Staff at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes visitor centre are keeping their eyes on the skies as they eagerly await the return of ospreys.
It’s anticipated that the birds could arrive at the Perthshire site “any day.”
In 2017, male osprey LM12 touched down at Loch of the Lowes, near Dunkeld, on March 16 – the earliest appearance of a resident bird since 1969. His mate LF15 arrived at the reserve a few days later on March 23.
Both ospreys have successfully hatched eight chicks at the site.
Rachael Hunter, the trust’s Perthshire ranger, said: “Ospreys typically arrive at Loch of the Lowes in late March but the first bird could appear on the nest any day now. We’ve been busy preparing for their arrival by recruiting the team of dedicated volunteers and species protection officers who will help carry out the 24-hour osprey watch that is in place once an egg is laid.
“Until they arrive we won’t know if our resident pair LM12 and LF15 will breed for a fourth season, but thanks to the support we receive from players of People’s Postcode Lottery the nest will be well protected from disturbance.”
And Sanjay Singh, senior programmes manager with the People’s Postcode Lottery, added: “Seeing ospreys return to Scotland is always a sign that spring has truly sprung, and our players will be hoping for another successful season for these iconic birds of prey at Loch of the Lowes.”
Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre is open daily from 10am until 5pm with 24-hour access to the reserve hides. The trust’s live osprey webcam allows people from around the world to follow events as they happen.
