New brood hope for Osprey matriarch
SCOTLAND'S oldest breeding osprey is set to become a mother again after her long-standing partner arrived to begin their mating ritual, it was announced yesterday.
The female, estimated to be 24 years old, has laid a record 52 eggs and bred 44 chicks since 1991.
Staff at the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes reserve near Dunkeld, Perthshire, were "surprised and delighted" when the bird of prey returned last week.
Her 18-year-old partner has now joined her at their summer breeding ground, and the pair have started to mate. Staff at the reserve are hoping for up to four eggs in about ten days' time, hatching six weeks later.
Claire Troup, the trust's Perthshire Ranger, said:
"We were delighted to welcome our female back last week – we had been worried she wouldn't make the arduous journey from Africa due to her advancing age."
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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