Oldest breeding osprey's first chicks begin to hatch at reserve

The oldest breeding female osprey in the UK has delighted rangers as the first of her eggs begins to hatch.

The 26-year-old bird, known as Lady, astounded rangers by producing three eggs this year at the Loch of the Lowes reserve near Dunkeld, Perthshire.

She returned to her annual breeding ground for a record breaking 22nd time in late March and mated with a three-year-old "toy boy" newcomer.

But there were concerns after she at first appeared to lay a "phantom egg". She then went on to astound rangers by laying three eggs.

Now the first of the three eggs have begun to hatch. The first signs of life were seen just after 7am on Monday.

Scottish Wildlife Trust ranger Emma Rawling said they were delighted at the reserve and despite facing a long wait scores of people have arrived to watch the impending new arrivals.

Lady, distinguishable close up by her plumage and "lightning bolt" mark on her eye, is a wildlife phenomenon, living three times longer than an average osprey. In her lifetime she has laid 64 eggs with 48 chicks going on to hatch and successfully leave the nest.

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