Osprey who became viral lockdown sensation lays first egg of 2023 at Loch Arkaig reserve

An osprey who rose to fame during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown has laid her first egg live on camera at a nature reserve.

Viral sensation Dorcha laid her first egg on Friday at 5.45am, with viewers around the world watching on a livestream.

It comes after she was reunited with mate Louis, who became the viral hit “Lockdown Louis” in 2020, at the Woodland Trust’s Loch Arkaig reserve this month.

Louis touched down at their nest on April 2, with his return captured on a livestream camera, and Dorcha joined him soon afterwards.

She is expected to produce a second egg by Monday and a third by the middle of next week.

Chicks are expected to emerge in the nest by the end of May.

The live nest camera has been in operation by the Woodland Trust Scotland to follow the ospreys at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest since 2017.

The livestream was supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

The livestream became a hit during the first Covid-19 lockdown, clocking up 400,000 views worldwide in 2020.

Viewers tuned in to see the antics of ‘Lockdown Louis’.

Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted that thanks to support from our players, viewers anywhere can share in the wonderful story of the osprey family at Loch Arkaig.

“We’re excited to see precious new life has arrived with an egg in the nest.”

The Loch Arkaig livestream can be viewed on the Woodland Trust website.