Clarach’s new arrival
An osprey born and reared in Wales as part of a conservation project has decided that the Trossachs is more to her taste.
Clarach has flown 250 miles north to nest in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
As part of the Aberfoyle Osprey Project the well travelled bird is raising her chicks while being monitored on camera.
Clarach is no stranger to the lens since hatching on camera herself.
She was raised on live webcam as part of the Dyfi Osprey Project in Wales but chose Scotland to raise her own chicks after migrating from Africa.
She has been recognised as being the only Dyfi osprey to successfully make it back to the UK to breed.
Emyr Evans from the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust said: “We’ve all been incredibly excited to hear that Clarach has returned safely from her perilous African migration and has now settled down to raise a family of her own.
“To be able to watch her do this live on camera is simply a privilege.”
Ospreys migrate to Africa every autumn and only around 30 per cent of young birds return to the UK to breed. They normally raise two or three chicks and often return year after year to a favourite nest.
Since being ringed Clarach’s behaviour and movements have been monitored continuously, as well as being caught on camera at nests across the UK.
Emyr added: “Her story is quite remarkable and it’s brought a lot of interest from up and down the country.”
Visitors to the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre in Aberfoyle can watch live footage of Clarach as she raises her chicks throughout the summer.
She can also be seen every day from 9.30am-5.30pm on webcam at http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/ queen-elizabeth-forest-park/aberfoyle-ospreys.
The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre in Aberfoyle is open every day with live webcams on red squirrels, owls and other birds, as well as the ospreys. To find out more contact 0300 067 6615 or visit Facebook.com/LodgeAberfoyle.