25 March 2020
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A live nest camera, funded by players of People's Postcode Lottery, has been switched back on and will once again beam footage of an osprey family to viewers all around the world.
The Woodland Trust's camera at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, in Lochaber, has been providing hundreds of thousands of people with a rare glimpse into the life of ospreys, Louis and Aila.
The pair are expected to return to their nest and screens anytime from early April.
The Loch Arkaig osprey camera has been operating for the whole of their breeding partnership and has provided a rollercoaster ride of drama, triumph and tragedy.
In 2017 the novice parents managed to fledge a single chick, called Lachlan.
Disaster struck in 2018 when a pine marten stole all three of their eggs.
There was better news in 2019 as chicks Mallie and Rannoch fledged successfully. Louis and Aila have been gaining skills and experience with every season so fingers crossed this will be another successful year.
Players of People's Postcode Lottery have now raised more than £13 million for the Woodland Trust.
Woodland Trust Scotland and local group Arkaig Community Forest bought the spectacular Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in 2016. We acquired 2,500 acres of magnificent but degraded ancient Caledonian pinewood.
Over the next two decades and beyond, the charity will restore the pinewood to native woodland, which is an important home for some of Scotland's most iconic wildlife.
There are just 84 native pinewood areas left in Scotland. The forest by Arkaig is one of them. Its ancient, wide-crowned 'granny' pines are precious features of this iconic Scottish landscape and part of an endangered habitat.
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery are the lead funders of Loch Arkaig Pine Forest. With their support, the Woodland Trust was able to buy the forest, and operate its ever popular osprey cam.
This technology allows people, no matter where they are, to experience forest life in an innovative way.