Events from the nest today:

During the early hours of this morning, our female osprey could be seen adjusting and building the nest. We are all still looking forward to the possible prospect of eggs in the next few days as our female has been displaying positive behavioural signs.

A question we received via ospreys@swt.org.uk asked whether any of the ospreys flying in the vicinity of the nest could be last year’s chicks. The reason this won’t be the case is that ospreys will not return to the UK until they are mature enough to breed and their hormones kick in. So they will spend approximately the first 5 years of their life in Africa.

 Since his return, 7Y has been seen bringing fish to the nest for our female. While in the UK, ospreys prey on fish though whilst in Africa they have been known to feed on small mammals, reptiles, water birds and invertebrates. They are expert hunters, capable of carrying a fish up to their own body weight!! Ospreys can be seen plunging in a feet first dive, up to depths of 1m to catch fish; gripping their prey with large talons which have a sandpaper-like texture underneath.

 Other wildlife at Loch of the Lowes:

This morning, the call (or yaffle) of a green woodpecker could be heard here at Loch of the Lowes, along with a visual glimpse of a treecreeper and a long tailed tit!

Across the loch, circa 50 black headed gulls were seen both in the sky and on the loch. Also on the loch were 6 mute swans along with 3 great crested grebes.

At the feeders there was a sighting of a red squirrel, though the glimpse was not enough to ascertain whether it was the female seen last week. All eyes will be peeled as the season progresses to spot any juveniles in the area.

 Anna

Perthshire Reserves Seasonal Ranger