Lady of the Loch

During the last decade, the osprey has risen, phoenix-like, from the ashes - once extinct in Britain, now returned as a powerful symbol of hope. The opreys' story is a moving tale of triumph over adversity. Their slow but sure resurgence has attracted huge public interest and support; that of one bird in particular, Lady, at 25, Britain's oldest breeding osprey, has tugged at the world's heartstrings.

For the past twenty years, Lady has made the 3000-mile journey from Africa back to Scotland, her nest and her mate. In March 2010, she produced an egg for a record-breaking 20th year; despite her weakened state throughout that summer, and with the stalwart assistance of her youthful mate, the chicks fledged successfully. But how many more times can Lady defy the odds; will the spring see her return, as, happily, it will so many other ospreys?

“A penetrating andenchanting story that most likely will become a classic ... Armitage succeedsin highlighting today's strong commitment [to the osprey] among everyday peopleas well as in describing the sometimes dramatic background of the ospreypopulation's decrease and increase. Her story thus also becomes an interestingcontribution to the history of man's relationship with nature. In addition,which should not be underestimated, her account of the late summer of 2010 is areal nail-biter.-- Svenska Dagbladet [leading Swedish national newspaper]”

Armitage's delightful little book details [the ospreys'] conservation success story and pays loving tribute to the pioneering female osprey, Lady, who has certainly done her bit to swell the UK osprey population. ... As Armitage's affectionate book makes clear, Lady is one tough, magical, absolutely marvellous old bird. - Val Hennessy, Daily Mail

The autobiography of a Scottish osprey is set to be a best seller. - The Scotsman

An excellent read ... Covers a lot of stuff about the history of the osprey in Britain, and it [is] very well done. - RSPB community

I loved [this] book. It is an incredible story and written most beautifully. I learnt so much from reading it. - Rachel Portman OBE, Oscar-winning composer

A wonderful book ... an inspiring account. - Simon Milne, Chief Executive, Scottish Wildlife Trust

A penetrating andenchanting story that most likely will become a classic ... Armitage succeedsin highlighting today's strong commitment [to the osprey] among everyday peopleas well as in describing the sometimes dramatic background of the ospreypopulation's decrease and increase. Her story thus also becomes an interestingcontribution to the history of man's relationship with nature. In addition,which should not be underestimated, her account of the late summer of 2010 is areal nail-biter. - Svenska Dagbladet [leading Swedish national newspaper]

Helen Armitage is a writer and book editor with an MA in Screenwriting and Screen Research. She has ghosted several biographies and one novel. She lives in London.

During the last decade, the osprey has risen, phoenix-like, from the ashes - once extinct in Britain, now returned as a powerful symbol of hope. The opreys' story is a moving tale of triumph over adversity. Their slow but sure resurgence has attracted huge public interest and support; that of one bird in particular, Lady, at 25, Britain's oldest breeding osprey, has tugged at the world's heartstrings.For the past twenty years, Lady has made the 3000-mile journey from Africa back to Scotland, her nest and her mate. In March 2010, she produced an egg for a record-breaking 20th year; despite her weakened state throughout that summer, and with the stalwart assistance of her youthful mate, the chicks fledged successfully. But how many more times can Lady defy the odds; will the spring see her return, as, happily, it will so many other ospreys?

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