The Old Bird Is Back!

30 March 2011

Britain’s oldest breeding osprey returns to Scotland

A 26-year-old bird of prey is causing a flap at the Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve.

Lady the osprey amazed experts by flying 3,000 miles from West Africa to return to her favourite breeding ground for the 21st year in a row.

Our charity partner the Scottish Wildlife Trust had worried the ageing bird might not survive the long journey. But a wildlife camera has captured her landing at a nesting site.

Robert Potter, Scottish Wildlife Trust’s North East Reserve Manager, said: “This bird is an incredible specimen of nature.  The average osprey lifespan is 8 years, and Lady is now around 26.  Last year, we thought she would die on her nest but, at the eleventh hour, she managed to regain her strength. ”

Once a common sight in Britain, by 1916 the osprey was almost extinct. Today, 200 pairs of osprey now breed in Scotland during the summer months.

And many of them are related to Lady. She has laid around 58 eggs and seen 48 chicks successfully hatch and fledge the nest.

Our players have raised over £1.4 million for the Scottish Wildlife Trust. This money is helping the charity to expand its ranger service so that rare birds like ospreys can be monitored and protected.