Something extraordinary is happening high in the trees of the Tweed Valley.
A male osprey has paired up with not one but two females, forming a rare trio that’s captivating birdwatchers and scientists alike.
This kind of polygynous nesting behaviour has rarely been seen in the wild and may never have been caught on live camera until now.
The drama is unfolding at the Tweed Valley Osprey Project, where Forestry and Land Scotland’s cameras are giving the public a front-row seat.
The stars of the show are Mrs O, a long-time resident at the site, a new female, and a young male who appears to be in his first season.
Both females have mated with the male and laid a total of four eggs between them.
So far, the unusual arrangement appears surprisingly harmonious.
There have been some squabbles over fish deliveries, but Mrs O, ever the dominant figure, usually claims first bite.
Even so, she has occasionally returned to the nest with leftovers and allowed the other female to share.
Diane Bennett, the Tweed Valley Osprey Project Co-ordinator, says it’s a privilege to witness.
She notes that while similar set-ups have been reported before, they’ve only been observed from a distance, never this close or clearly.
The birds are ringed with British Trust for Ornithology bands, which track movement and survival but don’t allow easy individual identification.
Mrs O is recognisable by her distinctive head markings, a feature volunteers have used to confirm her presence over the years.
The project has been running since the 1990s and is designed to provide a safe and stable breeding site for ospreys in southern Scotland.
Visitors can watch the drama live at the Wildlife Hub in Glentress Forest, near Peebles, where the camera feed runs daily from 10am to 4pm.
Volunteers are often on hand to explain what’s happening and offer insights into osprey behaviour.
The eggs are expected to hatch in the coming weeks, which could bring even more twists to this rare tale.
As the nest fills with life, researchers hope to learn more about how this kind of arrangement works and whether it could become more common.
For now, it remains a fascinating glimpse into a corner of nature we seldom get to see.
The Tweed Valley Osprey Project also shares regular updates and clips on its Facebook page, giving viewers everywhere a chance to follow the story.
