The oldest of two osprey chicks based in Dunkeld was seen taking its first flight on Wednesday.
Conservation enthusiasts who were tuned into the osprey webcam at 10.06am on the morning of July 13 could see the wonderful moment that the eldest osprey chick, LP8, took to the skies for the very first time, aged 55 days old.
LP8 took flight and spent over three minutes off the nest, soaring high and off around ‘The Point’ of the loch.
But it took the young bird three attempts to land.
Now staff at Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes reserve “hold their breath” and wait for LR0 to join its sibling in the air in the days to come.
Speaking of the successful fledgling LP8, visitor centre assistant Amy Bastow wrote in the Loch of the Lowes blog: “This youngster has been keeping us on our toes by not only wing flapping and hovering above the nest, but also perching on top of the camera both last night, and this morning just a few minutes before they took their first flight.
“LP8 chose the perfect time to fledge with just the right level of breeze to help with their lift off, drawing excited intakes of breath from staff and volunteers alike.
“As with most young ospreys when they first fledge, LP8 looked a little unsteady with a wobble here and there, whilst occasionally kicking their legs out below them for some stability. They certainly had a good breeze to help them along their way.”
After three attempts to land back on the nest, LP8 landed safely to join its sibling LR0 for some breakfast.
The youngsters and their parents start their long migration south later in August.
