An unlucky osprey nest which was struck by lightning and raided by a pine marten last year has welcomed back its resident pair for the 2019 season.
Louis and Aila arrived at the Lochaber nest together shortly after 7pm on Thursday night with both in amorous form. Louis was seen delivering his first fish of the season to Aila the following morning.
Woodland Trust Scotland hopes to see eggs laid before the end of the month at the nest, at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest.
In 2018, three eggs were taken by a pine marten and the camera which records their every move went dark after being struck by lightening.
George Anderson, of Woodland Trust Scotland, said: “It is such an emotional moment to see the birds back on the nest. They look in fantastic shape. Fingers crossed they will have a more successful year.
“The kit has been completely refurbished over the winter. We have fitted a back-up second camera which we can switch over to if the first one fails."
Meanwhile, Scotland's most famous osprey pair have produced their first egg of the season. The birds, known as Lassie and Laddie, are nesting for a fifth successive year at the Loch of the Lowes reserve in Perthshire.
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