A female osprey has returned the breeding site at Loch Garten for the ninth year in a row. EJ appeared at the RPSB reserve on 24 March almost bang on time with the predictions based on her previous return dates. Ospreys overwinter in West Africa before embarking on the gruelling journey thousands of miles back to the breeding area in the Scottish Highlands.
Writing on the RSPB’s Osprey Blog, Caroline Rance from the RSPB said, “It’s great to see her back for her ninth season, at 14 she is getting on a bit and it’s safe to say there have been a few ups and downs over the years. Even so she has managed to successfully fledge 15 chicks from this nest, quite a record, and here’s hoping we get a few more this year!”
The RSPB is stressing that although EJ has returned the viewing hide at Loch Garten does not open to the public until 1 April. The RSPB says that the osprey needs peace and quiet to settle in and they are asking the public not to visit the area at the moment. The staff at the site are also awaiting the return of EJ’s long term mate, Odin, or possibly the appearance of another mate for EJ.