100th young osprey fledges in Loch Garten, Scotland

This video from Scotland is called RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Highlights 2013.

From Wildlife Extra:

Osprey 100 takes off from Loch Garten

The 100th osprey to fledge from Loch Garten Osprey Centre in the Scottish Highlands has taken to the air after days of vigorous flapping to strengthen her flight muscles.

Millicent, the name RSPB staff gave the fledgling, didn’t venture very far for her first flight said Richard Thaxton, RSPB Scotland Osprey Centre Manager.

“She just circled around the nest before alighting in the adjacent dead tree just a matter of metres away. It was huge relief to see both her first take off and first landing completed successfully.”

Millicent’s two siblings, Seasca and Druie are expected to follow suit in the coming days. The young ospreys will spend the next month in or around the nest area until they depart on an annual migration to wintering grounds in Africa.

Ospreys first returned to breed in Scotland 60 years ago following extinction due to egg collectors and other forms of persecution. The first pair to return nested at the nature reserve and the site has been used by ospreys ever since.

Richard said: “It was a magical moment to see Millicent airborne for the first time. It happens every year of course but this time it was particularly special, as she is the 100th chick to fledge from the nest since the birds first returned in the late 1950s.

“It is a magnificent milestone in the huge conservation success story for Scotland. It was a proud moment for all involved in the project, both past & present.”

Keen osprey watchers can keep up to date with all the action in the nest via a live webcam and regular blog updates from Osprey Centre staff.