Tam's Tall Tales

- The lady that just keeps on giving


Loch of Lowes



Lady the osprey returned to Loch of the Lowes near Dunkeld in Perthshire for the 24th consecutive year, having reared 50 chicks there in the past..

Officials from the protected site stated: "At around 00:30 our nightwatch staff noticed classic egg-laying behaviour, and at 00:47 the female stood up to reveal her new egg.

"It is just as well the birds have built such a deep, snug cup in the centre of the nest as it was so windy last night, the whole nest was rocking.

"The staff and volunteers here are over the moon, and we are so relieved that our beloved female is still breeding at her advanced age."

Lady migrated back to the Loch of the Lowes nature reserve near Dunkeld as usual this spring after wintering in Africa. She quickly settled down with her regular mate - known as Laddie - and staff are hopeful the pair could produce chicks again this year. Since it was laid, the latest egg has been carefully tended and both birds have taken a turn incubating.

Scottish Wildlife Trust Perthshire ranger Emma Rawling said: "Everyone at the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre is overjoyed by this egg."

"Now there is a tense wait to see if there are any more eggs to be laid this season. (Editor's note - she laid two more eggs!)

The 29-year-old female is thought to be the oldest breeding raptor in the world.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust operate an "Ospreycam" which is well worth a look. See Osprey Webcam and also the Loch of Lowes Blog







Tam O'Ranter
May 2014

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