Amidst a season of high drama at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes reserve, two ospreys have emerged as this year’s official breeding pair and are now incubating an egg. 

At least seven different ospreys have been contending for the popular nesting site, however a male and female, now officially known as LM24 and LF25 respectively, have fought off their competitors – at least for the time being. The female laid her first egg just before 2pm on Sunday 4 May. 

The first bird to arrive this year was a female known as NC0, who landed on the nest on 17 March. She has previously fledged seven chicks over five years at Loch of the Lowes, all with her former partner LM12, who sadly died of natural causes in 2024. Following his death, NC0 seemed to pair up with LM24 towards the end of the season, but appears to have lost her hold on the territory before he returned this year. She departed the nest in early April and hasn’t been seen on the reserve since.  

LM24, who was known as the Dark Intruder until he successfully returned this season, arrived the following day. Since then, several females have vied for his attention, and after spending a week with an unringed bird, he has since settled onto the nest with LF25, who was previously known as the Dark Female. 

The drama has continued right up to the crucial moments: another female intruded upon the nest for several hours just before the laying process began, and even after she left LM24 attempted to mate with LF25 mid-lay.

Sara Rasmussen, Perthshire Ranger for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “We never knew what to expect this year, however we suspected there could be a battle for the territory after the tragic loss of LM12 in 2024, and that’s exactly what has happened. We’ve seen courtship and breeding attempts between different combinations of birds, but with this exciting development, it seems that LM24 and LF25 are holding the territory. 

“We understand there will be some disappointment at NC0 being unseated as the dominant female, but she is still in her prime and has every chance of finding a partner in another territory. For now, we’ve just got our fingers crossed that the new pair at Loch of the Lowes go on to hatch eggs and successfully raise their chicks.” 

Osprey eggs normally take between five and six weeks to hatch. The female incubates around 80% of the time, with the male taking over for brief periods so she can feed. Last year, NC0 laid three eggs, but they were destroyed by another male bird around three weeks into the incubation process. 

The Trust’s Wildlife Protection Team will carefully watch over the nest in the coming weeks to give the ospreys the best chance of success. 

Sara continued: “As exciting as it is to have an egg, we shouldn’t count our chickens – or ospreys – before they’ve hatched. This is especially true this year, as new breeding pairs often need a few seasons to work things out and become experienced parents. 

“Whatever happens, we can always guarantee drama with the ospreys. With the latest intruding female still in the area and the possibility of more eggs to come, there could still be plenty of twists and turns in the story. Fortunately, you can follow all the action via the live webcams on our website. Or even better, pop along to the reserve to see the birds – and everything else we have to offer – for yourself.” 

Ospreys were driven to extinction in Britain in the early 20th century, however they naturally recolonised Scotland in the 1950s and their numbers have grown steadily since. The latest estimates suggest there are around 300 breeding pairs across the UK. Most of these birds migrate to West Africa but some overwinter in Spain and Portugal. 

The recovery of ospreys is thanks to the efforts of conservation charities including the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The Wildlife Protection Team at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, with funds awarded by Postcode Planet Trust. 

Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre is currently open seven days a week from 10:30am to 5pm. The site has recently undergone a major upgrade, giving visitors even more opportunity to see the ospreys, as well as other wildlife including red squirrels, beavers and a variety of woodland birds.

Loch of the Lowes osprey naming convention

• Birds with identifying Darvic colour rings are known by the letter and number combination on their ring. For example, NC0.

• Dominant birds without identifying rings are known by a letter and number combination which references the first year they successfully bred or held the territory.

• LF25 = Loch of the Lowes Female 2025

• LM24 = Loch of the Lowes Male 2024

• Other birds are not officially named but are often referred to by notable identifying features. For example, a bird which became known as the Pale Male destroyed the eggs in 2024.

Notable ospreys at Loch of the Lowes in 2025

• LF25 – Breeding female who has laid eggs. Intruded in 2024 and possibly 2023. Previously known as the Dark Female.

• LM24 – Held the territory in the second half of 2024 and has bred with LF25 this year. Previously known as the Dark Intruder.

• NC0 – Resident breeding female 2020-2024, during which time she fledged seven chicks.

• New Male – A bird who turned up for the first time this year and spent several days with NC0 before departing.

• Unringed Female – A new bird for this year with a Cluedo piece-style marking on the back of her head. She spent a week with LM24 before departing.