The Trust can confirm that the new female osprey at its Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve, near Dunkeld, has laid her third egg.

On Friday afternoon, the new female osprey laid her second egg of the season. Ospreys can lay up to four eggs in a season and the gaps between eggs is usually around 48 hours. As the arrival of the next egg was imminent, the Loch of the Lowes team were on the lookout for the tell-tale egg-laying signs from the bird such as laying low in the nest, tail-lifting and panting.

Assistant Manager at the Scottish Wildlife Trust Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve, Jonathan Pinnick, said: “At around 12.35pm, we noticed the female becoming more active in the nest. She started to pant quite heavily, so it became apparent the third egg was on its way. Once the bird stopped her egg-laying behaviour, we weren’t quite sure if she had actually laid an egg as the nest has been well-lined this year, so it took us a while to see the third egg.

“Ospreys can lay up to four in a season, although the average is three. As this is her first season on the nest, it will be very interesting to see how many eggs she produces. The Scottish Wildlife Trust is encouraging people to visit scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/ospreycam and see if she lays a fourth.”