The arrival of a female osprey at the world famous Lady’s Tree in Dunkeld has got bird-spotters in a flap.
But rangers have been quick to assure that the new visitor is not the veteran osprey Lady, which is expected to return to the site any day now.
If she does come back, it will be her landmark 25th annual visit.
The nest, which is already being used by a male osprey, is being watched round the clock by wildlife enthusiasts across the globe and the new arrival was first spotted at 4.25pm on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which operates the nearby Loch of Lowes visitor centre, said: “A ripple of excitement immediately washed over the staff, volunteers and visitors at the reserve.
“Her initial arrival went unnoticed by our male osprey who had not been seen on the loch for several hours, so she took a few short flights around the nest to survey her new surroundings.
“She has quickly settled in, despite being met at first with some hostility from the male.
“He has since been busy delivering large sticks and moss clumps to her at the nest, and we have witnessed successful matings already.”
She said it was confirmed the new bird was not Lady following detailed reviews of webcam footage.
Lady is thought to be Europe’s oldest and most prolific breeding osprey, having successfully fledged 50 chicks during her lifetime.
The nest can be viewed live at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s website.