LAssie comes home to Loch of the Lowes and Laddie

The mate of Loch of the Lowes osprey Laddie has reunited with her partner at the Perthshire site.

Lassie, or LF15 as she is officially known, touched down at 1.30pm yesterday and quickly began rearranging the nest.

Laddie arrived on the nest at 2.30pm and the pair made their first attempts at mating shortly after.

Charlotte Fleming, Perthshire ranger for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “We knew it was LF15 as soon as she arrived. She has unmistakable features including a prominent dark brown ‘Y’ on the top of her head and quickly set to work rearranging her nest to her satisfaction.

“LM15 was joined by her mate within an hour. While it was a frosty reception at first it only took a matter of minutes for them to begin to mate.

“Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, our Osprey protection team is watching the nest round the clock, and members of the public can follow the exciting progress of our ospreys by visiting Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre or by watching our live osprey webcam.”

This year is the ospreys’ third season as a breeding pair with hopes high the birds can repeat their successful fledging of three chicks in both 2015 and 2016.

Laddie arrived at the reserve at 3pm last Friday and he has been busy fending off crows and creating a deep cup on the nest for eggs.