Loch Garten RSPB
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Loch Garten is the ancestral home of the osprey in Scotland. The Osprey Centre, set amongst the rare native caledonian pinewood of Abernethy Forest, overlooks the nest of these spectacular fish-eating birds of prey. A combination of binoculars, telescopes, CCTV cameras and expert staff help you enjoy the antics of these, most famous of Scottish birds.
Highlights: Osprey, capercaillie, Crested tit, crossbill, Pink footed goose.
Opening times
Open daily 10 am-6 pm from April to the end of August. Last entry to the reserve is at 5 pm.
Entrance charges
Adults £3, concessions £2, under 16s 50p. Family ticket £6 (up to two adults and two children). RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members - free. Caper-watch: adults - non-members £3, members £1, children free.
Location: Signposted from Aviemore and Gratown on Spey, East of the A9.
Grid reference:NH978183
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2007 Loch Garten Osprey diary
An extraordinary year in the life of the Garten ospreys. The female laid no less than 7 eggs, however her first two clutches of 2 were all ejected from the nest by her mate, and, tragically, the final clutch of 3 did not survive the bad weather. So ultimately, after all their hard work, no chicks survived.
18 July. The osprey parents are still protecting their nest from all comers despite their lack of chicks.
24 June. Disaster. All three eggs hatched but none of the chicks survived its first week, bringing to an abrupt end one of the most eventful breeding seasons ever at the Boat of Garten.
13 June. Still incubating three eggs, and a worrying few moments when an intruding osprey tried to lay claim to the nest before being forced away by the resident pair.
23rd May. Amazingly, in what must be some kind of record, Seven eggs have now been laid by the female osprey at the Boat of Garten. After her first 4 eggs were ejected from the nest by her partner, she has now laid another clutch of three.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
