
Dunkeld, Scotland - (UPI) -- An osprey believed to be the oldest one breeding in Scotland produced a record 50th egg Friday morning.
Peter Ferns, manager of the Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve near Dunkeld in Perthshire, called the egg a "remarkable landmark." Scottish Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers plan to guard the nest around the clock.
The egg-laying at just after 4 a.m. was recorded by an infrared camera.
The osprey is believed to be a vigorous 23. She first nested at Loch of the Lowes in 1991 and is now the mother of 43 fledged chicks, an excellent success rate for the species.
The bird arrived in Scotland 10 days ago after spending the winter in North Africa.
Ospreys produce two to four eggs in a year, usually spread out over several days. Hatching is also spread out, and younger chicks may starve to death if food is scarce.
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