The first osprey chick at one of Scotland’s most famous nests has taken flight.
The bird, labelled PH5, was spotted flying at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve and visitor centre at around 6.45pm on Saturday.
He spent around two hours exploring the reserve before returning to the nest. The second chick PT4 is expected to follow his sibling by fledging within the next few days.
Both chicks will spend the rest of the summer learning to fish and roost, before heading south on their maiden migration.
Sara Rasmussen, Perthshire ranger at the Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “We’ve been watching the chicks frantically flapping their wings over the last couple of weeks as their wings develop.
“It’s great to see PH5 finally get the confidence to take off and leave the nest. His sibling won’t be far behind.
“This is a fantastic time to visit the reserve. Visitors can hope to see some great displays of flying as the young birds learn the skills they’ll need to survive on their own.
“The young birds can often be seen learning to fish on the loch, initially for young pike – and it can take more than a few crash landings before they get it right.”
The Trust’s live osprey webcam ensures people from around the world can follow events as they happen.
Ospreys were extinct in Britain for much of the 20th century. They began to recover in the 1960s and today around 250 pairs breed in the UK each summer.