Osprey chicks take to air for their first flight

Doddie, Vera and Captain have become huge online stars thanks to Woodland Trust’s live-stream camera

A trio of osprey chicks named after Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, the late Forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn and centenarian NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore have all taken their first flights.

Ospreys Doddie, Vera and Captain hatched this summer on one of Scotland’s most famous nests in Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in the Highlands.

They were named following a poll involving more than 10,000 people, conducted by the charity Woodland Trust Scotland, who own the woods.

Doddie, the eldest, was first to fledge the nest at 6.12am on Saturday July 18, while Vera made her maiden flight at 5.19am on Friday, followed nearly three hours later by Captain at 8.11am.

The brood has become famous after nearly 300,000 people around the world logged on to watch them via a livestreaming camera.

George Anderson, of Woodland Trust Scotland, said: “Doddie fledged first and we had a few days waiting to see who would be next to take the plunge.

“Now all three of our chicks are in the air.

“The nest will remain their basecamp for the next few weeks so it’s still worth tuning in to see them on camera.

“As time goes on, however, we will see less and less of them until they finally all migrate by early September.”

Ospreys became extinct in Scotland a century ago and Loch Arkaig is thought to have been the final nest location before the birds began to recolonise the country again in the 1950s.

Breeding pair Louis and Aila returned to the nest for the fourth consecutive season this year, and successfully hatched three eggs. The chicks have been fitted with leg rings identifying them as JJ6, JJ7 and JJ8, but members of the public chose to name them Doddie (JJ6), Vera (JJ7) and Captain (JJ8) in tribute to figures who have been prominent in lockdown.

Once the chicks have gained experience flying and feeding themselves, they will start to migrate south towards the end of August.

Picture: Woodland Trust. Osprey chicks Doddie, Vera and Captain have taken their first full flight from their nest in Loch Arkaig Pine Forest after becoming internet sensations.

Pictures: PA/ Shutterstock. The Loch Arkaig Pine Forest osprey chicks were named after Doddie Weir, Dame Vera Lynn and Captain Sir Tom Moore following a poll.