RSPB bird reserve plans to replace noisy generator

Osprey from the reserve have been satellite tagged

A RSPB reserve in the Highlands plans to replace a noisy generator which has been blamed for a humming noise and poor picture quality on its webcasts.

The Loch Garten reserve has a webcam showing an osprey nesting site, which is streamed on the internet.

Reserve staff hope to raise funds towards the £109,000 cost of connecting to mains electricity, cutting reliance on the gas generator.

The project involves burying a cable underground for more than a mile.

In a posting on the reserve's blog, manager Richard Thaxton said the generator was unable to cope with technology needed to run the webcam and faster internet speeds.

Updates are provided over the internet on young osprey raised in the nest and satellite tagged so their migration to Africa can be tracked.