We know everyone is worried that Blue 44 hasn’t returned to the nest since fledging on Monday, and you can imagine how worried we are as well. Emma and I have just returned from an extensive patrol of the loch, on foot, wading through the water and by canoe, looking for the chick. We were checking the ground carefully including peering under the bracken, and up in the trees in case he had crash landed or got hung up on a branch which is not usual. So far there’s no sign of him. Emma plans to be out again at first light searching for him.

As you’ll remember from an earlier blog our satellite tag only talks to the tracking system every four days at the moment. The good news is tomorrow is day four so we will be able to get a fix on his tag which will help with locating him. Roy Dennis will be in touch as soon as the information becomes available.

Many of you have been in touch today asking why the blog hasn’t been updated during the day. The team here is very small and for us searching for the chick was of greater importance than updating the blog. We will update the blog and Twitter when we can but for now our priority is the chick’s welfare. We also ask you not to call the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre asking for updates as it ties up the only phoneline meaning we were unable to stay in contact with our fellow staff during our search. As soon as we have something to report we will let you know.

Lindsey