Adorable moment first osprey chick of the season hatches at Highland forest

Louis and Dorcha welcomed their new arrival at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest on Saturday morning.

The first osprey chick of the season has been caught on camera hatching at a Highland woodland first thing this morning.

The adorable moment was captured on Saturday, May 24, at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in Lochaber, on a live nest camera operated by Woodland Trust Scotland, supported by People's Postcode Lottery.

Osprey dad Louis, who clocked up 400,000 views on the camera during lockdown, and his mate Dorcha welcomed their new arrival at around 7.35am, when it fully emerged from its egg.

The first breach in the shell, known as a pip, had only appeared at 5.20am and the youngster could be heard "chupping" to its mother before making a full appearance.

Second and third eggs are expected to hatch over the next few days.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said: "We were really doubtful if Louis was going to make it back this year after his health issues in 2024, so it is amazing to see his newest offspring hatch.

"We are delighted that thanks to the support of our players, osprey fans all over the world can enjoy these intimate family moments."

The heartwarming close-up footage shows Dorcha sitting in the nest before standing up, revealing the two halves of the hatched egg and the tiny chick twitching underneath.

She immediately gets to work making sure the chick and her two remaining eggs are kept warm.

It can be seen nestling among the eggs in still images taken afterwards. Earlier pictures show the first sign of life appearing in the shell as Dorcha keeps watch.

The new arrival comes after Louis, who has been in residence at the forest since 2017, was ill for a time last year and unable to fish, with poor weather also putting pressure on the family.

Two chicks faced starvation but were translocated to Spain as part of a reintroduction programme. One of them migrated successfully from Valencia last September.

Woodland Trust staff were concerned Louis might not make it back from migration this year but he returned in good health on April 2 along with Dorcha.

Eggs were laid on April 16, 19 and 22, with previous hatches also captured by the live camera, which has been in operation since 2017.

Louis and his previous mate Aila became a hit during the first Covid lockdown in 2020, clocking up 400,000 views worldwide on the live feed.

The forest has a rich history, with British Commandos and Allied Special Forces including the Free French training at Loch Arkaig during WWII. A consignment of gold sent from France to help fund the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie is also said to be hidden in the forest.

Loch Arkaig was the location for a scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry, Hermione and Ron cling to a dragon as it flies above the forest before jumping off into the water below.

The osprey livestream can be viewed via Woodland Trust Scotland here.