The north’s most famous osprey pair have put last year’s complicated love triangle behind them and settled down with three eggs.
Staff at RSPB Scotland’s Osprey Centre at Loch Garten have expressed delight that the resident pair of ospreys, EJ and Odin, are settling down to family life.
The centre’s manager, Jess Tomes, said: “EJ is now sitting on three eggs – the usual size for an osprey clutch.
“As is typical with ospreys the eggs were laid over quite a long period.
“The first was laid last Thursday, April 7 at 8pm and the second on Sunday, April 10 at 5.45pm.
“EJ finally laid what we expect to be her third and final egg on Wednesday, April 13 at approximately 10.20pm – which is her 45th egg laid at Loch Garten over the years.”
The pair had a disrupted year last year and were unsuccessful in raising any chicks due to intruding rival male ospreys disrupting their nesting attempts.
Ms Tolmes said she was “hopeful” that things will be smoother this year.
She added: “Having said that we remain on tenterhooks. EJ has had to repel two visiting ospreys already this season.
“One actually attempted to land on the nest, but EJ saw it off in fine style. We are also encouraged that Odin has been doing his job as a breadwinner.”