Ludo, the osprey chick born earlier this year in Lochaber’s Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, has been spotted in a nature reserve in northwest France.
Recognisable by his tag number LY7, Ludo has been living in the The Bay of St Brieuc National Park in Brittany since September 24.
His presence has delighted local birdwatchers, with the bird expected to continue on its way south for the winter in the coming weeks.
The majority of Scottish ospreys overwinter in West African countries, such as Senegal. However recent years have seen some birds settle in Spain and Portugal.
George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland said osprey families split up to migrate south and young birds have to learn life skills as they go.
“Very often they will stop off for a few weeks somewhere the fishing is good and hone their skills,” he said.
“In 2020 our chick Doddie stopped off at the Somerset levels. Ludo has found his favoured spot in France. Local birdwatchers have been observing him fishing in the bay and have been posting about him on French language forums online.
“Viewers are often a bit bereft when the ospreys leave on migration so these reports will be a great comfort.”
Ludo’s start to life was captured on the Loch Arkaig livestreaming nest camera, which has run since 2017.
He hatched on May 31, took his first flight on July 19, and was last seen by the camera on August 25.
The sole osprey chick born to parents Louis and Dorcha, he had been one of three eggs on the nest. However, a tawny owl attack dislodged one, while the other proved to be infertile.
A season summary video showing Ludo’s time at Loch Arkaigcan be found on the Woodland Trust osprey cam page.