The first osprey chick of the season popped out of its shell in Lochaber over the weekend, causing quite a stir among nature enthusiasts. Woodland Trust Scotland has been keeping a close eye on the nest at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, where Osprey dad Louis has been hanging out every summer since 2017. Louis had a thing going on with Aila until 2020, but he’s now shacking up with his new gal, Dorcha. The little chick made its grand entrance into the world at 5.20 am on Saturday, and by 7.35 am, it was all fluffed up and ready to take on the world. Keep your eyes peeled because the second and third eggs are expected to hatch in the coming days.
Not really sure why this matters, but Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, expressed her excitement about Louis’s newest offspring making its debut. She mentioned that they were a bit worried about Louis not making it back this year after his health scare in 2024. The weather wasn’t exactly cooperating, and to top it off, two of the chicks had to be shipped off to Spain as part of a reintroduction program. Luckily, one of them managed to find its way back from Valencia last September, and Louis finally showed up in one piece on April 2, along with his lady love Dorcha.
It’s been quite a rollercoaster ride for the osprey family, with health scares, bad weather, and international travel thrown into the mix. But against all odds, the first chick of the season has hatched, bringing joy to watchers worldwide. Thanks to the support of players, fans of these majestic birds can witness these heartwarming family moments up close. So stay tuned for more updates on the growing osprey family in Lochaber.
