Excitment is mounting at a Perthshire nature reserve as the UK’s oldest breeding osprey looks likely to return in the coming weeks.
The 29-year-old raptor, affectionately known as Lady, is due to fly to her nest at the Loch of the Lowes reserve and visitor centre near Dunkeld between Thursday and April 7.
Lady broke records last year by laying four eggs, one of which hatched as audiences watched around the world on the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s webcam.
The female chick was Lady’s 50th.
Ranger Emma Rawling said the nature reserve has six staff and 70 volunteers, in addition to visitors who will all have their “eyes peeled” for a sighting of the famous bird.
“As the years go on we do know that one year she may not come back but she is a tough old bird so we are hopeful,” she said.
“Lady isn’t tagged so we have no idea where she goes although we think it is probably Africa as that is where most ospreys go for the winter.
“We’ll know it’s Lady because she’ll head straight for the nest and start doing the house cleaning by throwing out grass and other debris other females look nervous on the nest like they know they shouldn’t be there.
“I’ll then get my HD camera and take a better look at her and identify her markings.”
Lady’s mate, known as Laddie, is younger than Lady and is her fourth breeding partner in 22 years, and has fathered several of her previous chicks.
Miss Rawling said the two would mate almost as soon as they cast eyes upon each other again.
“As soon as we know Lady is back there will be cheers,” she said.
“They get down to business as soon as they meet again and we would expect eggs around 7-10 days after that.”