Scottish Wildlife Trust welcomes osprey chick number 46

15 June 2009

Two new arrivals set to spark a flurry of interest amongst wildlife enthusiasts across the globe are receiving a warm welcome from staff at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre.

The hatching of two osprey chicks at Loch of the Lowes marks another successful breeding year for Scotland’s oldest known breeding osprey.

Peter Ferns, SWT Visitor Centre Manager, said: "Our first chick hatched on Friday 15 May, and the second chick followed less than 11 hours later. This is an amazing feat for our 24 year old osprey. This year is the 40th anniversary of both the opening of the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve and the appearance of the first breeding osprey here, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate. We are still holding our breath in anticipation for the third egg which is due to hatch over the following days."

Claire Troup, SWT’s Perthshire Ranger, explained: “Without the help of our dedicated volunteers and staff funded by SITA Tayside Biodiversity Fund, we would be unable to have a 24 hr surveillance team watching the nest until all the eggs hatched. This is so important, as we protect the rare birds and their eggs from thieves.

“The osprey as well as the other wildlife here on the reserve attracts over 20,000 visitors each year. Our high definition cameras make viewing the ospreys all the more exciting and enjoyable as you have an intimate view of exactly how ospreys behave in the wild and how they start off life to how they breed and rear their chicks ready for the big bad world.”

Essential conservation work such as this is impossible without donations such as those raised by People's Postcode Lottery players. So far, over £650,000 has been raised for Scottish Wildlife Trust to help not only osprey but wildlife and nature the length and breadth of Scotland.