Ospreys lay first egg of the year

A PAIR of breeding ospreys have laid an egg at a wildlife reserve for the first time this year after a competitive mating process.

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Ospreys were driven to extinction in Britain in the early 20th century, however they naturally recolonised Scotland in the 1950s and their numbers have grown steadily since - and latest estimates suggest there are around 300 breeding pairs across the UK.

Most of these birds migrate to West Africa, but some overwinter in Spain and Portugal.

Conservationists at the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve in Perth and Kinross discovered that an egg had been laid on Sunday by a new breeding pair.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust manages the reserve and said that at least seven different ospreys have been contending for the popular nesting site.

A male and female, now officially known as LM24 and LF25 respectively, have fought off their competitors.