You will notice that our staff are now logging on to  post and reply to your comments using our individual names, rather than just as “Osprey Team”.  We’ve done this to help you know who it is on the ‘other end’ of the keyboard. Eventually , we will even have wee pictures accompanying our names- but we are a notoriously camera shy bunch!

On the osprey nest this morning, we still have three birds- mum and two very large and adult looking chicks. You will notice how speckled their plumage is, and they will wear this disticntive juvenile pattern for up to two years -ospreys moult continuously so it will be gradually replaced with adult colours.

Both chicks are now able to feed themselves to some extent, as recent squabbles over fish deliverys demonstrate! As their feet stengthen they can now stand on the fish and tear with their beaks, but are also not averse to begging mum to ‘baby’ them.

Will today be the big lift-off day?

Emma Rawling

Perthshire Ranger