7 days ago
New female osprey stakes her claim to nest at Perthshire reserve
SWT reserve expected to see male LF25 and female LM24 hold territory for the remainder of the season, but a young female had other ideas.
Ospreys at Perthshire's Loch of the Lowes reserve have unfortunately failed to hatch and fledge any young this season.
In May male LM24 and new young female LF25 had fought off competitors for the treetop nesting spot.
At least seven different ospreys had been competing for the popular site near Dunkeld.
However, in early July following the failure of LF25 and mate LM24 to hatch and fledge any young, another female, a ringed bird known as 'Blue 210' assumed dominance on the nest.
A Scottish Wildlife Trust Loch of the Lowes Reserve spokesperson said last week: 'We expected to see LF25 and LM24 hold territory for the remainder of the season, but it seems the young female had other ideas and disappeared on July 9, presumably wandering about the country before migration.
'Later that day Blue 210, a five year old from Kielder Forest in Northumberland where she is known as 'Darden' landed.
'Since then, LM24 has been providing her with fish, there have been multiple successful matings (which at this point in the season helps bond the pair) and fastidious nest building - serving as an outlet for the ospreys 'frustration' at failing to raise young.
'Indeed the nest is looking the best it has all season.'
The pair took shelter during the onslaught of Storm Floris and have been both been seen on the nest and around the reserve last week, with Blue 210 bringing in a big fish - a trout or salmon - in the early hours of Tuesday, August 5.
The SWT spokesperson added: 'It won't be long however before their focus turns to the pull of migrating south again - so be sure to come and visit before suddenly the 'Lowes lullaby' falls quiet again for yet another year.'
Blue 210 had successfully raised two young on a nest in Perthshire in 2024, but has had a failed breeding season this year.
She had been sighted at Loch of the Lowes on April 29 this year when she intruded on the nest.
The SWT spokesperson added: 'Like LF25 following the premature end to her breeding season, it seems that Blue 210 has also been roaming about, having been seen on the SSE nest at Alyth a few days prior to returning to Lowes to 'check out the goods.''
Ospreys were driven to extinction in Britain in the early 20th century, however they naturally recolonised Scotland in the 1950s and their numbers have grown steadily since.
The latest estimates suggest there are around 300 breeding pairs across the UK. Most of these birds migrate to West Africa but some overwinter in Spain and Portugal.
The recovery of ospreys is thanks to the efforts of conservation charities including the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The Wildlife Protection Team at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve is supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery, with funds awarded by Postcode Planet Trust.
Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre is currently open seven days a week from 10.30am to 5pm.
