Osprey Chicks Hatch

Ospreys, with their spectacular dives into lochs from over 100 feet up, when they spot a fish in the water, have become a popular tourist attraction in parts of Scotland. There are currently 160 pairs breeding in Scotland.

The first of this summer's chicks hatched last Sunday at the RSPB Scotland's wild bird reserve near Boat of Garten, Badenoch and Strathspey. The news prompted a surge in the numbers of visitors at the site. Later in the week, the first chicks hatched at the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve at Loch of the Lowes, near Dunkeld. The rangers there may have seen the chicks break out of their shells many times before, but they still get a thrill, knowing that one more bird means a better chance of survival of the species in Scotland.

During our visit in the Scottish Borders we had the opportunity to watch live video footage from an Osprey nest closeby. The Osprey watch is setup at the Kailzie Gardens which is close to Peebles. At the time or our visit the chicks hatched in the last two days