Female osprey NC0 laid her third egg of the season at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes reserve at around 7:40am today. Osprey eggs are the same size as large hen eggs, and hatch around 5-6 weeks after they are laid. NC0’s eggs are expected to hatch in mid to late May.

Our Perthshire Ranger Sara Rasmussen said: “Younger ospreys tend to be less productive so we thought that NC0 might stop at two eggs this year, but we’re really pleased that she has laid three eggs in her second season on the reserve. We can’t wait to see the chicks hatch out next month.”

“Our team of staff and volunteers are monitoring the reserve around the clock to help ensure these ospreys have a safe and secure nesting site. I’d like to remind people that accessing the loch can disturb the birds at a critical point in their breeding season. We’d encourage members of the public to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and pay attention to any warning signs that are in place to help protect wildlife.”

Will Humpington, Advisor for Climate Change & Environment, People’s Postcode Lottery said: “I’m thrilled to learn that NC0 has laid a full clutch of three eggs under the watchful eyes of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s team. Our players are proud to support the Trust’s Osprey Protection Programme and we’re looking forward to seeing the chicks hatch out in a few weeks’ time.”

NC0 was ringed as a chick near Loch Ness in 2016. Her mate LM12 is around 13 years old and has been breeding on the reserve for 10 seasons.

Ospreys were extinct in Britain for much of the 20th century. They began to recover in the 1960s. Today an estimated 300 pairs breed in the UK each summer.

Watch our live osprey webcam from Loch of the Lowes to keep up with all the action throughout the season.

The Trust’s Osprey Protection Programme is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.