Our female osprey’s behaviour is changing and showing all the signs of imminent egg laying. She is much more nest bound today and is spending increasing amounts of time in the very nest centre. She seems restless and when she started sitting and heavy breathing early this morning , we all thought it was about to happen….but so far nothing yet. We are of course desperately hoping it might happen any moment- will her 69th egg arrive in time for this weekend’s 50^th anniversary celebrations?

Continuing the theme of strange things at Osprey nests all over the world from our many avid osprey watchers:

“We have several nests on Cape Cod that we watch every year. In prior years we have seen Barbie dolls, dip nets and lots of blue –twine, ropes, and bags. This winter we have had many Snowy Owls hanging out on our beaches. One of these owls had taken to hanging out on the Osprey nest [ off season] We now have traveling Owls on the ocean side of the beach and Osprey couples on the marsh side of the beach”. Evelyn USA

Sandra has sent in a video of a live crab arriving at an osprey nest at Dunedin nest last year- this is so funny I had to repost the link for you all to enjoy:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d-NudjVUtI&feature=youtu.be

There has also been an exciting report today from our colleagues at NTS Threave reserve in Dumfries and Galloway of an osprey catching and killing a crow who flew too close to the nest- which it appears to have dropped rather than eaten. I have never seen this behaviour before and it just goes to show ospreys just keep surprising us!

Lastly a quick reminder that Scottish Wildlife Trusts’ 50th Anniversary party this coming weekend included FREE ENTRY to all three of our visitors centres all weekend. We are running all sorts of fun activities, prize draws and talks here at Loch of the Lowes- why not join us?

There will even be a FREE SHUTTLE MINIBUS from Dunkeld (signposted free parking area at Doctors Surgery in Little Dunkeld) from 10am- 5pm , every 20 minutes approximately.

Ranger Emma