Please note: Ospreys are a specially protected species and it is a criminal offence to approach a nest site without a permit.
Ospreys have nested near Alyth, Perth & Kinross, for many years. Historically they nested on top of an SSEN Transmission 275kV transmission tower (pylon) which forms the ‘T’ junction between the main strategic electricity transmission line for the east coast of Scotland and the line to Tealing Substation near Dundee since 1990. During the planning for the construction of the new Alyth substation consideration and protection of the birds was central to the new development. The Internationally renowned osprey expert, Roy Dennis MBE, was engaged to advise SSEN Transmission on any mitigations and the design to construct a new nest and nesting tower platform prior to its construction. The nesting tower has been set 320.6 metres away from the boundary of the new Alyth Substation, which was identified as a suitable distance to minimise any possible disturbance from the construction works associated with the new substation development during the Osprey breeding season. The location of the nest was agreed as acceptable with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), now Nature Scot because the breeding pair had demonstrated habituation to people and farm machinery utilised by adjacent landowners and farming community. A 25-metre purpose-built Osprey nesting tower and two 8.5 metre resting perches were erected on the 12 March 2014 under a planning permission and has been successfully used by the Ospreys since then. With 20 chicks being raised to date.
Ahead of the 2024 breeding season, and following the energisation of the new 275kV Alyth Substation, funding for the live feed and maintenance of associated equipment will be provided by SSEN Transmission’s East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Project currently under construction. This project will upgrade the existing 275kV overhead line circuits between Kintore, Fetteresso, Alyth and Kincardine Substations to 400kV operation, as part of SSEN Transmission’s wider east coast 400kV works. The East Coast overhead line can be seen in the background of the live stream. This project is key to Delivering a Network for Net Zero Further information on the project can be found here: East Coast 400kV Upgrade (www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/p...)
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Please note, these are wild birds exhibiting wild behaviour. We are unable to intervene in the event of any natural issues with the birds and as such we may switch the stream off if we deem it necessary.
Wildlife Windows Ltd. installed this camera and are hosting this stream for SSEN Transmission.