A group of local youngsters with a passion for Scotland’s wildlife is backing a project to track the first migratory journey of young osprey chicks which it is hoped will hatch at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve next spring.
Tayside Wildlife Group, a club jointly supported by Scottish Wildlife Trust and the RSPB which inspires local children between five and 12 to learn more about nature and get outdoors, hopes to raise money to support the project by selling wildlife calendars which feature their own wildlife photographs for Christmas.
Based at Scone Palace, which kindly supported the calendar project by covering printing costs, the children were inspired to get involved after they visited Loch of the Lowes over summer to see the reserve’s resident female osprey, known as ‘Lady’, which is aged 24 and thought to be the oldest breeding osprey in the UK.
During their visit, the group learnt from Peter Ferns, Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre Manager, about the project to raise enough money to attach satellite tags to future chicks to learn more about the annual 3,000 migration osprey make to West Africa.
Peter said: “Thanks to our HD nest cam, which can be viewed online at www.swt.org.uk during the breeding season, the popularity and interest in our breeding osprey has soared in recent years. By attaching light-weight satellite tags to future chicks, we hope to learn even more about these magnificent animals and follow their journey after they leave us in August.
“Aside from giving followers of our osprey another way to enjoy watching the progress of our birds, there are good conservation reasons behind this project. As recently as 1916, osprey were on the verge of extinction due to persecution from egg thieves and falconers. Now with only around 200 pairs of breeding osprey in Scotland today, any information we can gather to help increase this population could greatly assist conservation efforts.
“Satellite tagging is a tried-and-tested technique which causes no disruption to the animal. We will continue fundraising for the project over coming months to allow us to tag the chicks next year. To find out how you can support the project, visit www.swt.org.uk.”
Donna Mathieson, People and Wildlife Officer for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s brilliant the kids are getting involved to help us fundraise for such an exciting project, and we hope many people support them by buying their home-made calendar.”
The Tayside Wildlife Group wildlife calendar is now available to buy directly from Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes and Montrose Basin Visitor Centres, as well as Dundee High School Christmas Fair, set to be held this Saturday (13 November).
For more information about the group, visit www.swt.org.uk/kids/watch/tayside/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicola McGovern, PR and Communications Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust
0131 312 4742
nmcgovern@swt.org.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. 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.
2. Scottish Wildlife Trust receives financial assistance and support from a range of organisations, funders and individuals, including Scottish Natural Heritage and the People’s Postcode Lottery.