The Trust has bid farewell to the famous female osprey, affectionately known by many as ‘Lady’, as she begins autumn migration to her wintering grounds in Africa.

The osprey has returned to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes reserve, near Dunkeld, for the last 24 years. During that time, she has produced a record-breaking 71 eggs and has fledged 50 chicks. Thought to be around 28 years of age, she is the oldest known breeding osprey in the UK.

Perthshire Ranger for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Emma Rawling, said: “At her advanced age, every year she makes the migration back to Perthshire may be her last. The Scottish Wildlife Trust hopes that she returns again next year; however, if she does not, another female osprey will take her nest.

“Unfortunately, this year she did not fledge any chicks and it could be entirely possible this is the final year she returns to Loch of the Lowes. It is remarkable to think how few ospreys were seen in the UK when she first appeared at Loch of the Lowes almost a quarter century ago.

“Now, thanks to concerted conservation practices, such as those undertaken by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, ospreys have the best chance of survival. If this osprey does not return, she will not be forgotten due to the massive contribution she has made to the recovery of this rare species.

“She has also captured the public’s hearts and has done so much to raise the profile of osprey conservation in Scotland.”