The new series of the BBC Scotland’s rural affairs magazine programme, Landward, returns to our screens today (Friday 26 September) and over the next four weeks will chart the successful breeding season in 2008 of Scotland’s oldest breeding osprey female at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve near Dunkeld.

The unique footage, which captured events from the laying of her 50th egg to the bird leaving for warmer climes, was made possible by the use, for the first time, of a new high definition camera within the nest itself. This provided sharper and improved pictures of life in the nest and was of a quality appropriate for televised broadcast.

The footage was made available, free of charge, to BBC Scotland’s Landward team and a lower quality version was beamed live on SWT’s website at www.swt.org.uk, throughout the season.

Rick Cohagan, Managing Director of Chevron Upstream Europe, who donated £55,000 to SWT to cover installation of the camera and to support other projects, said “Chevron Upstream Europe is delighted that more people can enjoy this amazing footage and follow the fascinating story of one of Scotland’s rarest bird species. This high definition footage is as close as you’ll get to the real thing without being there in person.”

Simon Cousins, Series Producer – Landward, BBC Scotland said “These images from Loch of the Lowes give a real insight into the trials and tribulations of life in the nest. From intruders to amusing attempts at flying by the newly fledged chick, from a broadcasters’ perspective this really is a natural wildlife soap.”

Peter Ferns, Visitor Centre Manager at Loch of the Lowes said: “Around 30,000 visitors come to the Loch of the Lowes each season to enjoy ospreys, red squirrels and many other species of wildlife. But thanks to Landward, more people can share in the excitement and turbulence of the breeding season. As we look to 2009, the inevitable question is whether this is the last view of the female we will see as she is old for a breeding bird.”

Once a common species in Britain by 1916 ospreys were all but extinct. Ospreys have been breeding at Loch of the Lowes since 1969 when they were only the fifth known couple in Scotland. The female osprey is believed to be 20 years old and has been at the reserve since 1991. It is hoped that the ospreys will return again next March to breed once again but only time will tell.
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NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Landward is back on BBC2 Scotland at 7.00 pm from Friday 26 September.

2. For more information on the osprey and Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve visit SWT’s homepage www.swt.org.uk

3. SWT would like to thank Chevron Upstream Europe for the high definition camera and other infrastructural and display equipment.

4. SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 30,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.

5. Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre re-opened to the public in June 2006 after a £200,000 refurbishment.

6. SWT receives financial assistance and support from Scottish Natural Heritage.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Clara Govier, Communications Manager, SWT
Tel: 0131 312 4747 (07795 312 8705) or email: cgovier@swt.org.uk