Osprey Nest, Loch Arkaig Webcam

Osprey Nest, Loch Arkaig

Ospreys at Loch Arkaig are part of Scotland's thriving population of these magnificent fish-eating raptors. Each spring, the adult birds return from migration in Africa around early April to reclaim their nesting site near the loch. Their nests are large, sturdy platforms built high in pine or fir trees, made of sticks and lined with softer materials like moss and grass. These nests are reused and repaired every year, often growing heavier and taller with time. The female usually lays her eggs in mid to late April, and both parents take turns guarding and feeding the chicks after they hatch in May. By August, the young ospreys are strong enough to fly and begin practicing hunting before migrating south in early autumn.

The nest webcam shows the life of a wild osprey pair living deep in the Scottish Highlands. The camera is set high among the ancient Caledonian pine forest, where ospreys build their large stick nests overlooking the loch. It streams during the breeding season, starting in early spring when the birds return from migration and ending in late summer when the young have fledged. Viewers can watch every stage of the season – nest building, mating, egg laying, and the parents bringing fresh fish from the loch to feed their chicks. The camera captures moments of calm, dramatic weather, and even territorial disputes with intruding birds. It offers a rare and intimate window into the natural world of Scotland’s ospreys, letting people worldwide witness the beauty and survival of these remarkable birds.