The Lady’s not for returning odds are against osprey say bookies

Despite making an incredible recovery from a near-fatal illness and defying expectations by returning this year, bookies are failing to give Lady the osprey the same chances of survival.

With Scotland’s most famous bird now enjoying her 21st year at Loch of the Lowes, near Dunkeld, bookmakers William Hill are speculating on what the next 12 months will bring.

Sadly, they believe fans will be left disappointed next year and have given her short odds of returning from migration again.

If the bookies are correct, the elderly bird is also unlikely to hatch any chicks, although there is a 2/1 chance she will have at least one.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said, “Over the past 25 years Lady has virtually single-wingedly boosted the osprey population in Scotland, although this year may just prove to be one year too many for her.”

However, as the osprey has spent much of her life beating the odds, there is little chance that her dedicated supporters will be having a flutter, unless it’s to back Lady to return for a 22nd year.