Two osprey chicks are to be rehomed from Scotland to Spain amid concern over their famous father’s plummeting hunting performance.
The Woodland Trust Scotland has taken action at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in response to the reduced fish catches by dad Louis in recent weeks.
Experts believe the raptor – who became a social media sensation through the trust’s wildlife webcam – could be ill or suffering from age-related effects.
The six-week-old birds will now be relocated from the Lochaber forest to the Valencian region as part of a reintroduction project.
George Anderson, Woodland Trust spokesperson, said the conservation charity’s default position is normally not to intervene in the ospreys’ lives and let nature take its course.
However, he explained it would be “needlessly dogmatic” to let the chicks die from starvation when a translocation option was available.
Mr Anderson said: “Male ospreys feed their whole family during the nesting season with the females occasionally fishing a little towards the end of the summer.
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“Louis has always been a very dependable provider. At this time of year, he would normally be bringing in four or five fish a day. His record is nine.
“He has been off his game lately, often bringing in only one and sometimes none. We didn’t see him at all on Thursday and Friday.
“Bad weather is likely part of the problem and lots of nests appear to have had a poor year. But we think there is something not right about Louis. It could be his age, or he might be ill. We don’t know.
“In these circumstances, the chicks will die.”
Mr Anderson added that the trust waited to see if Louis’ performance would pick up, but it did not and the two chicks were removed from the nest on Monday.
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The live nest camera has been in operation since 2017, with support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Louis was the first osprey to touch down and has been the star of the show ever since.
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In 2020, his family of chicks with previous mate Aila became a huge online hit during the COVID lockdown.
Following a public ballot, the young birds were named Doddie, Vera and Captain in honour of the late Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir, Dame Vera Lynn and NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Aila failed to return from migration in 2021, but Louis set up home with new mate Dorcha.
The couple hatched three chicks this year, with the surviving two now in the care of project partner the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation.
Mr Anderson said: “Roy and his team have impeccable credentials and we have every confidence that while the chicks’ survival is not guaranteed, they will have a vastly better chance.
“It will take the pressure off the adult birds, who will now only need to feed themselves and can hopefully get back in condition before migration.”
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Both chicks will receive a thorough health examination before being transported to the Pego-Oliva Marsh Natural Park.
It is hoped the programme, which is in its second of five years, will help restore ospreys to the region.
Mr Anderson added: “Scotland has reintroduced species such as beaver, red kite and sea eagle thanks to other nations gifting us their animals.
“I think it is great that Scotland is giving this gift to Spain and we are proud this Arkaig pair are going to be a part of that.”
