Elderly osprey’s luck may be running out

THE UK’s oldest breeding osprey may finally have become infertile, wildlife workers fear.

The 29-year-old raptor, affectionately named Lady by rangers at the Loch of the Lowes nature reserve near Dunkeld, Perthshire, returned to her nest at the park at the end of March - making it a record 23rd year.

She then broke records by laying her “miraculous” 70th egg, however wildlife reserve workers admitted that they are “very worried” none of this year’s clutch will hatch.

Out of four eggs that were laid in total, there is now hope for only one and ranger Emma Rawling said it is very likely that it is unviable. Forty days is the upper limit for successful incubation, and the last egg to be laid reaches that milestone tomorrow morning.

One of Lady’s eggs was stolen by a crow.

The other three have been repeatedly left to go cold when the male bird, expected to take over from Lady when she is fishing, abandoned his post for up to 90 minutes.