THE much loved ospreys, Harry and Flora, have once again returned to their purpose-built nesting platform near SSEN Transmission’s Alyth substation.
Marking an impressive 13th consecutive breeding season at the site, the first eggs of the new season have now been spotted in the nest.
Since the nest was installed in 2014, a total of 23 chicks have successfully taken flight from it, making them a familiar and cherished part of the local landscape and a striking example of how vital electricity infrastructure can be delivered with nature firmly in mind.
A live YouTube stream allows viewers to follow the birds up close – including the latest milestone of the first eggs being laid, with more than 6,000 subscribers already tuning in to track Harry and Flora’s progress this season.
The nesting platform was originally constructed as an alternative home for the ospreys after the pair had nested on a 48 metre electricity transmission tower scheduled for essential maintenance. Installed ahead of the 2014 breeding season, the platform was designed to offer a safe and stable nesting environment – and to the team’s delight, Harry and Flora adopted it immediately, returning year after year ever since.
Ospreys are renowned for their extraordinary migratory journeys, travelling thousands of miles from their wintering grounds in Africa to breed in Scotland each spring and summer. Harry and Flora’s continued loyalty to the Alyth site highlights both the resilience of the species and the importance of carefully planned habitat protection alongside critical national infrastructure.
Ewan Jelly, senior consents and environment manager at SSEN Transmission, said,“Harry and Flora’s 13th consecutive return to Alyth is a fantastic milestone and a real success story for nature inclusive design. From the moment the nesting platform was installed, it’s been clear that providing the right environment for wildlife can make a lasting difference.
“Over more than a decade, we’ve seen 23 chicks take flight from here, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that essential transmission infrastructure can operate in harmony with Scotland’s wildlife. It’s something our teams take enormous pride in.”
The Alyth osprey platform forms part of SSEN Transmission’s wider approach to biodiversity net gain, ensuring that protected species are supported and that nature is left in a better state than before work begins.
