What a rollercoaster the last 48 hours have been here at Loch of the Lowes. After the initial elation of the first egg of the season, our joy turned to concern as we began worrying about our new male osprey’s commitment and skills as a father.

You will have seen the male bringing the same fish several times each morning, trying to interest our lady in food, but she has been reluctant to take it as she doesn’t seem to want to leave her precious egg. He has been then taking the fish away again each time , and only when she is truly hungry has she taken any fish and left him in charge of the egg.

The male has taken a couple of days to get the hang of guarding the egg in her absence, being a real fidget and not sitting on it very much- and even leaving it unattended for short periods, to our alarm. The female though seems never to be very far away and is straight back to the nest if the egg is in peril (alone it is vulnerable to cold or predators).

We can only hope the routine settles in soon and that the first egg is joined by another today- let us know if and when you see it on the camera.