We are very pleased to announce that LF15, our resident breeding female laid her first egg of the 2019 season at 20:37 on Thursday 4 April.

Following an afternoon of fidgeting and nest renovations she began to show signs of laying her first egg in the early evening. A period followed where contractions and heavy panting could be observed, accompanied by a series of soft chirps before the egg was finally laid.

At first LF15 seemed a bit bemused by the whole affair and took a while to settle down to brood the egg, but we are pleased to say she has sat tight throughout the night, nestling down on the egg to begin the period of incubation, which typically lasts an average of 37 days.

Ospreys usually lay 2-3 eggs several days apart. Judging by the laying pattern of previous years we would estimate LF15 to lay again at the weekend and early next week.

To date LF15 and LM12 have successfully fledged 10 chicks since 2015. With 2019 marking 50 years of both the reserve and breeding ospreys at Loch of the Lowes we can’t wait to see what the season has in store.

You can follow every twist and turn via our webcam or even better come down to the visitors centre and spend some time in our hides. The centre is open 7 days a week 10:30am to 5pm with two of our hides open 24/7.

Sara Rasmussen & Nick Thorsen
Perthshire Ranger & Species Protection Officer