The Osprey in Scotland

While in previous centuries it is likely that there was a large Osprey population in Scotland, by 1850 it is thought that their numbers had reduced to 40-50 breeding pairs. Being a rare species, Osprey eggs and skins were highly prized by Victorian collectors, reducing the population still further. In 1916 the last known pair bred on an island in Loch Loyne, although it is possible that a remnant population continued to breed in remote areas.

This is typical Osprey habitat in Scotland: lochs, forests and stands of Scots Pine trees,

Ospreys continued to be seen on migration between 1920 and 1950 but there were no known breeding attempts anywhere in Great Britain during those years. During the 1950s a few of the migrants lingered in Scotland during the summer and in 1955 and 1956 nests were built. Persecution continued, however, with one bird being shot at Loch Garten in 1956 and a clutch of eggs being stolen the following year. At that point the RSPB began to protect the nest, both by setting aside hundreds of acres as a sanctuary and by mounting a round-the-clock guard on the nest site. Despite these efforts the nest was robbed again in 1958 but, the following year, three chicks hatched successfully. Since then, Ospreys have returned every year to the RSPB-protected site at Loch Garten and their presence has been witnessed and enjoyed by over one and a half million visitors.

Meanwhile, little by little, Ospreys have begun to breed elsewhere in Scotland. A second pair became established near Aviemore in 1963 and a third pair bred in 1966. The estimated number of pairs breeding in Scotland is shown in the table on the right. While the number of pairs in Scotland is increasing exponentially, the expansion of the breeding range has been very slow. This is largely due to the Osprey's strong tendency, noted in long-term studies in USA and Sweden, to return to breed remarkably close to the area from which they fledge.

Year Number of known breeding pairs 1967 2 1970 7 1973 14 1976 17 1979 25 1982 30 1985 36 1988 53 1991 73 1994 95 1995 99 1996 104 1997 111 1998 130 1999 136 2000 150 2004 180+ 2005 190+

There are lots more details about Ospreys in Scotland on various websites. For example: The Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve at Loch of the Lowes has a regular breeding pair of Ospreys and their website is updated frequently with news of the pair's progress. Loch Garten's famous osprey nest is described in words and pictures here.

Picture from Loch Garten is reproduced by kind permission of the RSPB