What a delight it is to wake early this morning to gentle rain at last! The woods around Lowes are dripping musically and the loch surface is rippled by drops of much needed rain!

Our two young ospreys are snuggled in the nest using their newly acquired waterproof feathers to keep dry- their first real test so far! Mum no longer needs to be their umbrella and instead is watching from her perch regally.
She now also feels confident enough in their ability to defend themselves, to leave the chicks for short periods- the longest yet this morning for nearly an hour. She has even begun indulging in a little fishing herself, which is a fabulous sign of her regaining her strength.
It may be a little as ten days before the chicks first flight- we are entering the ‘thrills and spills’ time of year!
Emma Rawling
Perthshire Ranger