The Trust is happy to announce the resident female osprey at the Loch of the Lowes laid her 70th egg in the early hours of this morning.
The 70th egg laid by the osprey, affectionately known by many as ‘Lady’, comes as the Trust celebrates its 50th Anniversary today.
The bird, which successfully fledged her 50th chick last year, could be the UK’s oldest breeding osprey and is thought to be around 28 years of age.
Staff and volunteers at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre, near Dunkeld in Perthshire, are waiting to see if the number rises as she usually lays between two or three eggs a season.
On average, osprey incubation lasts between 37 and 39 days, so the earliest hatching would be on May 20th.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust Perthshire Ranger, Emma Rawling, said: “It is unbelievable that our famous osprey at Loch of the Lowes has laid an egg to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
“It is almost like she knew it was a special day and wanted to mark the occasion.
“Osprey conservation wouldn’t be possible without the support of funders, such as players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and dedicated volunteers who give their valuable time to Scottish Wildlife Trust.
“It has given us the ability to ensure the best habitat for the wildlife on our reserves, so the Trust must also thank everyone that has made the past 50 years so successful.”
The Scottish Wildlife Trust was incorporated on April 16th 1964 – 50 years ago today – by Sir Charles Connell and a group of dedicated volunteers.