Experts remain hopeful that oldest bird could return
One year ago today, the bird thought to be oldest breeding female of its kind ever recorded in the UK returned for the 20th consecutive year to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve to the astonishment of wildlife experts.
Today (23 March 2011), despite the fact that a bird has yet to be sighted in Perthshire, staff from Loch of the Lowes explained why they remain hopeful that the bird could still return any day now.
Robert Potter, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s North East Reserve Manager, said: “This individual female bird is incredibly old and her return dates have varied in recent years. Last year, she arrived at the nesting site on 23 March. In 2009, she arrived on 20 March. And in 2008, she was with us on 30 March. So, we remain hopeful that we could see her any day now.
“However, we must also prepare ourselves for the fact that she might not return. She is the oldest known breeding osprey in the UK, and last year we watched as she fought for survival while plagued with an illness that experts predicted she was unlikely to recover from. Amazingly, she did defy the odds and recover and she left to migrate to Africa in August. But since then her fate is unknown. If she doesn’t return, we hope to see another osprey take ownership of the nest at Loch of the Lowes very soon.”
Wildlife enthusiasts can follow the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes blog and watch the online wildlife cameras.
***ENDS***
For media enquiries, please contact:
Nicola McGovern, Scottish Wildlife Trust PR and Communications Manager
Notes to Editors
1. Stock still images and high definition footage of the osprey are available. Please contact Scottish Wildlife Trust’s PR Manager with requests.
2. Photographers and broadcast journalists are welcome at the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve but are requested to contact the PR Manager before arriving.
3. Scottish Wildlife Trust is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 35,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. Scottish Wildlife Trust seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
4. Scottish Wildlife Trust receives financial assistance and support from a number of organisations including Scottish Natural Heritage and the People’s Postcode Lottery.