An Angus osprey family which flew on to the radar of raptor enthusiasts worldwide after being spooked by a hot air balloon have begun their long journey south for winter.
Despite major fears for the safety of the family of four at Balgavies Loch, near Forfar, the birds seem to have shrugged off last month’s encounter with the Virgin balloon and are now on their way after what Scottish Wildlife Trust bosses have declared a record-breaking season for the species.
Visitors have flocked to the tiny reserve all summer after the arrival of the four chicks – broods of one to three are more common – and they fledged into strong youngsters thanks to a constant supply of food delivered by the Angus male from trout lochs and the flat-fish rich coastal estuaries of the county.
But as the countdown began to a migration which has already taken the first recorded Angus osprey chick all the way to Senegal in West Africa in 2012, Balgavies regulars were horrified to see the bright red Virgin balloon pass within metres of the island last month.
The incident triggered widespread anger and a police investigation, but it was later ruled that there had been no criminality and the balloon pilot said he had no idea the osprey nest was there.
Within the last few days the last of the chicks have flown Balgavies after what reserve warden Jim Hughes admitted had been a wonderful breeding season, with enthusiasm for the species and the chance to enjoy the rare sight of four growing chicks bringing visitors from all over the country.
“Anticipating the arrival of the breeding pair is always a great event and it is great for the reserve that they have successfully reared four strong chicks,” he said.
“They are big young birds, the parents have done a tremendous job, especially the male with the supply of fish he brought to the nest.
“We have a lot of regulars here, but holidaymakers love to find something to do in the area and that has brought a lot of people to Balgavies.
“One couple I recently spoke to from Dorset told me they had never seen an osprey and couldn’t believe that they had been able to watch four chicks in the same nest,” Jim added.
SWT reserves manager Rab Potter said: “Four osprey chicks hatching in one nest is extremely rare.
“The parents have done incredibly well to keep the chicks supplied with food to allow them all the chicks to survive to fledging, and the mild summer has probably helped too.”
“Across the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s reserves we’ve had a record total of ten chicks fledging this season, with these four at Balgavies Loch joined by three chicks at both Loch of the Lowes and a reserve in Dumfries and Galloway.
“While the ospreys have now left Balgavies Loch reserve it’s still a great place to see wildlife.
“The reserve is home to many species of winter migrants including goldeneye, teal and wigeon, and it’s also a haven for red squirrels,” he added.
