The Lady’s for returning osprey back for 24th season at Loch of the Lowes
BySandra Gray
Lady the Osprey.
After testing the patience and nerves of her fans, a familiar face flew into Loch of the Lowes this morning.
Arriving a day later than usual, the osprey affectionately known as Lady has claimed her rightful position for a 24th year.
The elderly raptor arrived back at the Perthshire reserve at around 6.50am, much to the delight of staff and volunteers.
Despite her advancing years, Lady wasted no time in asserting her authority by dive-bombing her younger competitor.
Over the last few days, a new female had attempted to set up nest in the area and had even wooed the resident male osprey, known as Laddie.
Ranger Emma Rawling told The Courier the usurper has now been chased away.
She said: “She has taken no time at all to reclaim her nest and call the male back.
“They have been mating all morning and we can safely say that they are back together. We are all very relieved and very pleased to see her back.”
Thought to be aged around 28 or 29 years, Lady is the UK’s oldest breeding osprey and in her lifetime has laid 68 eggs and successfully raised 50 chicks.
