Remarkable Lady lays her 70th egg at Loch of the Lowes

Record-breaking osprey Lady has laid her second egg since returning to a Perthshire wildlife reserve this year.

Staff at Loch of the Lowes near Dunkeld confirmed the egg was hatched at 1.45am on Wednesday and hinted there could be more to follow over the next few days.

Lady returned to the wildlife reserve for the 24th consecutive year in March. She has now laid 70 eggs and reared 50 chicks at Loch of the Lowes.

The 29-year-old is understood to be the oldest breeding raptor in the world. She is watched by thousands on a a Scottish Wildlife Trust webcam.

Jonathan Pinnick, assistant manager at Loch of the Lowes, told The Courier the announcement was “great news”.

He said: “This tends to be the time when she lays her eggs in the dead of the night. I don’t think she likes noise!”

Scottish Wildlife Trust ranger Emma Rawlings said: “We are really pleased as every egg laid gives a chance for a chick and will continue the recovery of the ospreys.”

The second egg came after Lady and her mate Laddie were scared off their nest for a short period while incubating the first egg.