The resident male osprey at Perthshire’s Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve has made a swift arrival this year.
Known as LM12, the elegant bird touch down on the nest near Dunkeld at around 12pm on Sunday, March 13.
To mark the start of his 11th breeding season at the reserve, he made sure to swoop in two days earlier than his previous record from 2019.
Staff and volunteers at the reserve, as well as a global audience of webcam watchers, are now eagerly watching for the return of LM12’s mate, the female osprey NC0.
The pair successfully fledged three chicks in their first two seasons together in 2020 and 2021.
The trust’s Perthshire Ranger Sara Rasmussen said: “LM12’s arrival back in Perthshire has kickstarted the season at Loch of the Lowes. We’re very hopeful of seeing his mate NC0 return by the end of the month.
“It’s an exciting time for everyone here following weeks of preparation to ensure that the nest is ready for the birds’ return and that our live webcam is ready to share another exciting season with the world.”
