Lochaber’s favourite love birds just could not wait to get together this year - and have surprised fans by arriving back at their Loch Arkaig nest earlier than usual.
Louis the osprey touched down at 3:18pm on Thursday, while his mate Dorcha arrived two days later.
In previous years, Louis has arrived between April 2 and April 11, while Dorcha normally returns around April 9 and April 11.
Woodland Trust Scotland has been operating a live nest camera at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest since 2017, with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “What a thrill to see Louis and Dorcha back at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest for season eight of this remarkable wild soap opera.
“Here’s hoping for another glorious summer of action from the nest. We are delighted that support from our players has allowed people far and wide to enjoy this wild slice of highland forest life for so many years.”
George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland added: “Louis and Dorcha caught us all on the hop. I reckon some people’s holiday weekend plans were up in the air as they were all glued to their screens.”
The Loch Arkaig livestreams can be viewed at a dedicated page on the Woodland Trust at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam.
Woodland Trust Scotland and Arkaig Community Forest bought the woodland site in 2016 from Forest Enterprise Scotland under the National Forest Land Scheme. Their aim is to restore native woodland habitats; re-connect local people with the management and stewardship of the site; and use the woods to underpin sustainable rural development in the nearby communities of Achnacarry, Bunarkaig and Clunes.
Huge amounts of non-native timber is being removed from the forest in order to let the native pines repopulate the site with their offspring. A unique modular barge has been transporting logs across the loch over the winter.
One of the most significant areas of remaining Caledonian pine forest, this will be the largest ancient woodland restoration undertaken by the Woodland Trust on land directly under its care.
British Commandos and Allied Special Forces, including the Free French, trained at Loch Arkaig during the Second World War. Loch Arkaig was the location for a sequence in the film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry, Hermione and Ron cling to a dragon as it flies above the forest before jumping off into the Loch below.
The forest is home to wild boar, sea eagles, golden eagles, ospreys, pine martens and deer among many other species. Steeped in history, the area is the ancestral home of Clan Cameron.
A consignment of gold sent from France to help fund the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie is said to be hidden in the forest.
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.