The Scottish Wildlife Trust is delighted that the remarkable story of Scotland’s ospreys is being commemorated in ‘Fly Lady, Fly’, a song taken from The Kist – a stage show produced by Scottish singer and broadcaster Fiona Kennedy.
It tells the story of one female osprey, affectionately known as ‘Lady’, who recently made her 23rd return to the Loch of the Lowes Scottish Wildlife Trust nature reserve near Dunkeld.
The tale of the osprey is a success story of conservation, as ospreys were absent from Scotland from 1916-1954, but now there are over 220 breeding pairs.
There is a live osprey cam that points at the nest from March to August and can be seen at scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/ospreycam.
Today, ‘The Day of the Osprey’ will be commemorated at a special event held in The River Room at the House of Lords, tonight May 14th at 6pm.
A donation from the single will be made to the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Rutland Water Nature Reserve from the activities of ‘The Day of the Osprey’ and the song ‘Fly Lady, Fly’, which is available to download [via iTunes].
Allan Bantick, Chairman for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “This is a wonderful and fitting event to celebrate ospreys and a conservation success story.
“The Scottish Wildlife Trust is thrilled that Fiona Kennedy was so inspired by our special osprey at Loch of the Lowes that she wrote and produced this moving song, sung by Ruairidh McDonald – who is a very talented young man.
“'Fly, Lady Fly' is a fitting reminder of the powerful work that has been undertaken by The Scottish Wildlife Trust and its volunteers. It is brilliant that some of the proceeds of this song will go to further help the conservation effort.”
Fiona Kennedy, creator of The Kist and co-writer of ‘Fly Lady, Fly’, from Aberdeen, said: “We want to celebrate this and all ospreys, as well as our great natural landscape which is vital for their wellbeing.
“It’s also important to salute all the volunteers who help to provide the safe habitat for so many birds and animals.
Singer, Ruairidh McDonald, 13, from Aviemore, said: “I’ve been to visit Lady and her chick near Dunkeld and I’m hooked on their webcam.
“These birds are incredible, flying 3000 miles all the way to West Africa and 3000 miles back. How do they know where to go? It is just remarkable”
Kate Pearson, the People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted that the famous osprey at Loch of the Lowes is being celebrated in this way and are proud that players of People's Postcode Lottery continue to be part of this conservation success story.”