The first osprey egg to be laid in Scotland this year has been spotted in a nest in the Borders.
Tweed Valley Osprey Project said the birds of prey returned from their winter sojourn just over a fortnight ago on April 3.
The egg was spotted in a nest by a project volunteer on Friday.
Ospreys have been nesting in the Tweed Valley for more than 15 years, and this is the tenth consecutive breeding season that this pair have returned, said Diane Bennett, who is an information officer for the project.
The Tweed Valley Ospreys Project, a partnership between the Forestry Commission Scotland, Kailzie Gardens and RSPB Scotland, works to help safeguard the birds and allow the public to enjoy them through two viewing centres in Glentress Forest and Kailzie Gardens, near Peebles.
Ms Bennett said: "One of our new volunteers spotted the egg on Friday and, as you'd expect, the mother osprey has been fussing over it and has made sure that she's found the best position for incubation.
"Hopefully there will be more eggs to come – but for now it's all good news."
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