At 7:41 am this morning we were ecstatic to see NC0 lay her third egg.

While the usual number of eggs for an established breeding pair is two to three, younger birds tend to be less productive. So for NC0 to have laid a third egg when she is still a fairly young osprey is fantastic.

Her first egg was laid on the 11 April, her second egg 14 April and now today her third egg has come on the 17 April. These laying dates times fits extremely well into the general rule that osprey eggs are laid individually one to three days apart.

It is quite rare for osprey to lay four eggs, and if they do these may not all hatch, nor all chicks survive to fledging. However, we will just have to wait and see.

Don’t worry about the paleness of the third egg compared to the other two. Osprey eggs can be quite variable in colour with some being off-white to pinkish or buff and have a dark mottled brown or reddish spots on them in a varying pattern and distribution.

The countdown now is on to see when the first egg hatches. Incubation of eggs will usually last for around five to six weeks until hatching, or an average of 37 days. We are all very excited and look forward to seeing a new family develop and grow.

Keep up to date with our blog to find out more about ospreys in general and of course our lovely pair NC0 and LM12 on the Trust’s live osprey webcam as they keep us on our toes with their antics throughout the season!

Hollie

Species Protection Officer

The Trust’s Osprey Protection Programme at Loch of the Lowes is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery