Fishing line osprey brood threat

The RSPB webcam monitors the activity on the Loch Garten nest

The famous breeding ospreys at Loch Garten are under threat after the parents became entangled in fishing line, RSPB experts have warned.

The pair have hatched three chicks at the nest in the Cairngorms.

The male, Odin has been seen trailing over 40 ft of fishing line from his feet while the female, EJ has some line stuck in her beak.

It is feared the line could affect their ability to catch fish and the amount they feed to their young.

The RSPB's Richard Thaxton said: "Everything was going brilliantly, but unfortunately this has the real potential to ruin this year's osprey season.

"It's vital that anglers don't leave discarded fishing tackle lying around, especially at this time of year, as Odin and his offspring are now in real danger.

"He could become entangled on almost anything, and we're really worried about him bringing food back to the nest and the potential consequences.

"We're considering ways to safely catch him and disentangle him without too much risk as this may be a better option than leaving him to get stuck somewhere while on a fishing trip."

Male ospreys normally return to the nest approximately 5-6 times a day with food for the female and young birds.

Female ospreys spend 40 days on the nest being fed with fish by their partners.

Ospreys became extinct in Scotland in 1916.

A pair returned to nest at Loch Garten in 1954.

Since 1959, ospreys have arrived every year - raising more than 80 young.

More than two million people have visited RSPB Scotland's Loch Garten Osprey Centre over a period of 50 years, including almost 36,000 last year.