Birds of praise

I enjoyed Jeremy Paxman’s article about osprey (Scotsman Magazine, 14 April). My husband and I are volunteers at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes reserve in Perthshire, and have great respect and affection for these magnificent birds, which have been breeding successfully at Lowes since 1971.

Mr Paxman wonders why ospreys make the long journey from Africa to Scotland every spring, where they often have to contend with ferocious weather. It might seem counter-intuitive to we humans, but to ospreys it makes perfect sense, for two main reasons: our very long daylight hours, which maximise their fishing opportunities, and our abundance of fish-rich lochs, rivers (and fisheries) from which to pluck their highly nutritious prey.

Since young ospreys are fed exclusively on fish, these two factors enable their parents to raise their broods with a high degree of success. We have learnt so much about osprey behaviour from the close observation made possible by high-definition cameras.

They are endearing, fascinating, beautiful birds, as Mr Paxman confirms. CAROLYN TAYLOR

Wellbank Broughty Ferry, Dundee