Local Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre is going the ‘egg-stra’ mile for Easter weekend (23 – 24 April) to encourage families and wildlife enthusiasts to visit the home of Scotland’s oldest known breeding osprey, a bird thought to be 26 years old which laid its 59th egg only yesterday (13 April).
The Scottish Wildlife Trust, the conservation charity which manages Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre, has announced that they will be running a free 'osprey bus' between Dunkeld and Loch of the Lowes on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April, to ensure that the Centre, which has limited parking on-site, is easily accessible to visitors.
The charity is also running a special online membership offer for the next week to celebrate the osprey’s successful egg laying again this season. Every new supporter who signs up online to become a member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust between Thursday 14 and Wednesday 20 April will receive two free guest passes to Loch of the Lowes to share with their friends. For a limited period, all new Scottish Wildlife Trust members also receive an exclusive photograph of the osprey with their membership pack.
Caroline Hendry, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Visitor Centre Manager, said: “We know that many people across Scotland, and indeed the world are excited about this osprey’s return. It’s incredible that she has managed to produce an egg again this year and we want to make sure that people can come to visit Loch of the Lowes with ease.
“We hope that many people do choose to visit over the Easter weekend, and in preparation we have laid on a free minibus running from Dunkeld to the Centre. Visitors can park their car in the village if our Visitor Centre car park is full and take a short bus ride to see the ospreys. This free minibus also gives those living in Dunkeld who do not have their own transport a chance to have an enjoyable day out at the Visitor Centre or alternatively, it’s also only a 30 minute walk from Dunkeld.
“Usually we expect eggs to hatch around five weeks after they’ve been laid, and the ospreys and their chicks will stay on the nest until August, so there is plenty time to visit and see this remarkable bird over the coming months.”
The free Scottish Wildlife Trust 'osprey bus' will run from the bus stop outside the Royal Hotel, Dunkeld to Loch of the Lowes at 10 am, 12 noon, and 2 pm on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April. A return minibus will leave the Centre at 12.30 pm, 2.30 pm, and 4.30 pm.
For more information, or to follow the Loch of the Lowes dedicated blog and live nest cam, visit www.swt.org.uk.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR ADDITIONAL IMAGE REQUESTS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicola McGovern, Scottish Wildlife Trust’s PR and Communications Manager
0131 312 4742; 07795 608264
Notes to Editors
1. Stock still images and high definition footage of the osprey are available. Please contact Scottish Wildlife Trust’s PR Office with requests.
2. Photographers and broadcast journalists are welcome at the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve but are requested to contact the PR Office before arriving.
3. The Scottish Wildlife Trust is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 35,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. The Scottish Wildlife Trust seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
4. The Scottish Wildlife Trust receives financial assistance and support from a range of organisations, funders and individuals including Scottish Natural Heritage and People’s Postcode Lottery.
5. Special thanks go to SITA Tayside Biodiversity Fund for their continuing support for our work in protecting the ospreys