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Protecting Ospreys At Loch Of The Lowes
Despite living entirely separate lives for most of the year, osprey pairs form close bonds and quickly settle into familiar patterns. Teamwork is vital for the survival of the species.
The female needs to incubate her eggs around the clock for several weeks for them to successfully hatch. The chicks then have just a couple of months to grow into birds that are capable of flying over seas and deserts to West Africa - a journey of 3,000 miles. During this time the female and her chicks are reliant on an increasing number of fish being diligently delivered to the nest by the male.
Ospreys Are Making A Comeback
Ospreys have made a remarkable comeback thanks to the efforts of conservation charities including the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT). A total of 85 osprey chicks have fledged from Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve since 1969.
Ospreys were extinct in the UK as recently as the 1950s and while there are now around 300 pairs in the country these birds are still in recovery. They remain rarer than golden eagles.
One of the greatest threats to this recovery is disturbance from people coming too close to their nests. Ospreys need to incubate their eggs around the clock. Meaning any disturbance can cause these sensitive birds to leave their eggs out in the open, with potentially disastrous consequences.
Player Support
Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery, the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Osprey Protection Programme keeps a constant watch over the nest at Loch of the Lowes during the breeding season.
As well as safeguarding the nesting birds, the team of staff and dozens of volunteers collect valuable information about the lives of ospreys, including recording key dates in the season. This information could help us learn more about the fascinating lives of ospreys while they are breeding and how they are affected by a changing climate.
Players of People's Postcode Lottery have raised over £18.4 Million for The Wildlife Trusts, which Scottish Wildlife Trust is part of. The Wildlife Trusts is a movement made up of 46 Wildlife Trusts: independent charities with a shared mission.
Experience Ospreys
The Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre is open seven days a week from 10:30 - 17:00. A live webcam ensures people from all around the world can keep up with the ospreys during their breeding season.
On Thursday 28th April the Scottish Wildlife Trust is hosting Live from the Loch, a special online event supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery. Book a place for this free event on the Scottish Wildlife Trust's website.
Making A Difference
People's Postcode Lottery players are helping deserving causes like Scottish Wildlife Trust make a difference every single day. Read more about the range of Charities which our players support.
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Published: 11/04/2022
