Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve

Last week the ospreys returned to breed at their lochside nest in Perthshire from their winter home in Africa. The lower pictures show the main Scottish Wildlife Trust's well-concealed observation hide  (just 150 metres from the nest), a webcam shot  of the female (see live pictures) and a lochside viewing point for walkers on the trail to Dunkeld from the Reserve. The male's (LM12) efforts since his arrival were not in vain as at 1.30pm on 23 March the female (LF15) returned to find the nest looking in fine shape – quite the opposite to last year when she arrived first and had to do most of the nest maintenance! They have mated and the eggs are expected to appear around 10th April - fast workers!