Despite the miserable wet weather recently at Loch of the Lowes, there has been plenty of osprey action in and around the nest. As well as fending off several unwanted intruder ospreys, the male had to see off a red kite who came a little too close for comfort, providing quite the sight for our visitors in the hides. Despite being nearly adult size, it was demonstrated earlier today that they still have a lot to learn when FR2 was confronted by a pair of intruders while tucking into a fish on the nest this afternoon. Two cheeky crows snuck up on the nest, and initially the chick did well standing its ground and scaring them off individually. However several minutes later the pair joined forces and swooped down together, intimidating the chick enough that it fled the nest leaving behind its lunch for the corvids to squabble over.

Even in the wind and the rain, our chicks have been doing very well, spreading their wings further afield as both their strength and confidence grows.  FR3 has been slowly expanding its range, spending more time perched away from the nest, and exploring more of the lochside with the occasionally visit to neighbouring Craiglush Loch.

FR4 however gave us a real surprise when we looked at its movements this morning. Over the weekend it made a very adventurous round trip of approximately 10 miles to some forestry due west of the reserve! The chick has also made a visit down to Dunkeld to the River Tay , a known salmon fishing spot of its father. Although this chick fledged a week after its two siblings, we are very encouraged to see how active and daring it is becoming, and we’re all excited to see where the youngster goes next!

Charlotte,

Perthshire Ranger.