The first osprey egg of 2022 has been recorded at the Loch of the Lowes reserve in Perthshire.
Earlier in the week, Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) volunteers were fretting that there was no sign of an egg on Tuesday – 20 days after the female NC0 touched down in Dunkeld and reformed her relationship with male bird LM12.
Then hours after the disheartened post on the Loch of the Lowes blog, the female came up with the goods on Tuesday evening.
“Nineteen days after successfully breeding with LM12, NC0 has laid her first egg of the season,” reported Bethany, SWT’s species protection officer.
“NC0 laid her first egg of the season at 6.34pm, April 12.
“Her first egg comes 20 days after arriving on the reserve and 19 since she first successfully mated with LM12. We’re expecting to see more eggs in the days to come.
“Eggs are usually laid 1-3 days apart, although the gap between laying can be up to six days.
“In their first year of laying, female ospreys may only produce one or two eggs. But over time they will build up to an average of three eggs in total.”
Soon after the female laid claim to her old nest in Perthshire, the trust’s Perthshire ranger Sara Rasmussen had said: “We’re delighted to see NC0 back at Lowes for her third season. Since LM12 arrived back on March 13 he’s been busily preparing the nest for the season ahead. It’s exciting to think that in just a few weeks’ time NC0 could be incubating her eggs.”
NC0 first bred with LM12 in 2020 and the pair have successfully raised three chicks. The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s live osprey webcam ensures people from around the world can follow live events.
Laura Chow, head of charities, People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “With funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the Scottish Wildlife Trust works to protect these iconic birds of prey and help people discover more about their amazing lives.”
Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre near Dunkeld is currently open seven days a week, from 10.30am to 5pm.
