Perthshire’s original female osprey has returned to her summer home at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve for the 18th consecutive year, it was announced by Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) today (23 March 2009). 

Spotted landing on the eyrie at 6.05 pm on Friday 20 March, the arrival of the female osprey signals the beginning of the breeding process for one of Scotland’s most magnificent bird species.  Nature enthusiasts can now visit Loch of the Lowes or log on to www.swt.org.uk to watch the osprey mate and hopefully raise young chicks.    

Claire Troup, SWT Perthshire Ranger, explained:  “We are thrilled our female osprey has returned again this year.  Despite her age, she has managed to make a 3,000 mile migration from West Africa to her breeding ground at Loch of the Lowes.  She is now waiting for her mate – a male osprey identified with a green leg ring – who usually arrives within a week of the female.  The resident male will then chase any interloper away and initiate the breeding process. 

“After mating, we would expect the female to lay between two to four eggs in early April, and six weeks later the eggs should hatch.  Using a high definition camera which can be viewed live from our visitor centre or online, we will be watching eagerly to see if our female can hatch any chicks again this year.  To date, she has laid 52 eggs and 44 of those have successfully hatched, but sadly she is an aging bird and her fertility could be dwindling.  This makes it another exciting breeding season.”

Once the first egg is laid, SWT staff, helped by nearly 70 volunteers, will take it in turns to man the round-the-clock watch to safeguard the osprey and their eggs.  Once a common sight in Britain, the osprey was all but extinct by 1916 due to persecution.  Conservation efforts continue to re-establish the species as part of Scotland’s rich wildlife.

Peter Ferns, SWT Visitor Centre Manager, said:  “Over 20,000 visitors come to Loch of the Lowes each year to enjoy watching the osprey, and our high definition nest camera makes viewing the action a far more exciting and intimate experience.  You can see stunning views of the nest and close up pictures of the bird and her chicks.

“Once on the brink of extinction, today 200 pairs of osprey now breed in Scotland during the summer months.  Every year, for the last 40 years, we do everything we can at Loch of the Lowes to ensure that our osprey’s breeding season is successful.  This includes manning a 24hr osprey watch to protect our birds from thieves who steal unhatched eggs for private collections. 

Ospreys are just one of many wildlife attractions at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve. Red squirrels and pine martens are regularly seen along with woodland birds of all types and sizes.

SWT’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre is open all year, offering visitors the chance to observe wildlife in its natural setting while ensuring minimum disturbance to the animals.

***ENDS***
NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Still images and high definition footage of the osprey are available.  Please contact SWT with requests.
• Photographers are welcome at the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve but are requested to telephone 01350 727337 before arriving.
• Peter Ferns, Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre Manager is available for comment on 01350 727337.
• For more information on the osprey and Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve visit SWT’s homepage www.swt.org.uk
• SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 33,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
• SWT receives financial assistance and support from Scottish Natural Heritage.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicola McGovern, PR Officer, SWT
Tel: 0131 312 4742 or email: nmcgovern@swt.org.uk

Peter Ferns, Visitor Centre Manager, SWT
Tel: 01350 727337or email: pferns@swt.org.uk