Ospreys LM12 and NC0 have successfully raised a chick in their first season as a breeding pair.

The birds abandoned the regular nest at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre & Wildlife Reserve in Perthshire on 12 April, but continued to make occasional appearances on the reserve’s wildlife webcam.  

The Trust can now confirm the pair established a nest at a nearby location and that their young chick has now developed and fledged. It has not been possible to establish if the juvenile bird is male or female.  

NC0 left the area in early August, and the other two ospreys are expected to fly south by September.  

Sara Rasmussen, Perthshire Ranger, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “It was a privilege to watch NC0 and LM12 form a strong pair bond this spring. I’m absolutely delighted that they’ve been able to successfully raise a chick, and we’re hopeful that they’ll go on to have many more seasons together.  

“We’re still waiting to see if this young bird will appear on our webcam before its maiden migration, but visitors to the reserve may be lucky enough to see it testing its wings ahead of a long journey south.” 

The male osprey LM12 has been breeding at Loch of the Lowes since 2012 and has raised 15 chicks in that time. NC0, a female who was ringed at a nest near Loch Ness in 2016, is LM12’s third mate.  

Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre is now open from 10:30am – 5pm, Thursday to Monday. All visitors must book in advance. 

The Osprey Protection Programme at Loch of the Lowes is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.