Heartbreaking scenes emerged from Lochaber on Friday morning after two ospreys lost three of their nesting eggs to a pine marten.
Ospreys Louis and Aila raised their first chick on the nest last year and things were looking good for another successful year.
Sadly the next generation were snatched before they could even hatch by an invader during an unexpected attack in the early hours of Friday morning.
Stand-off between osprey and pine marten at Grantown reserve
The scenes were captured on a live web stream from the nest, located at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, at around 3.30am as Aila lay asleep on the eggs.
She attempted to stop the attack by swooping at the invader, but unfortunately failed in her efforts.
George Anderson of the Woodland Trust said this type of incident was not uncommon.
“While this is upsetting to see it is part of the natural way of things and that is what we set out to show with this camera,” he said.
“Little triumphs and tragedies constantly play out across the natural world.
“What is important is that places like Loch Arkaig pine forest continue to offer a stunning home for the wide range of plants, insects, birds fish and other creatures that live there.
“We cannot save every wild creature from its fate. What we can do is make sure the conditions are there that new life keeps coming forth.”
The Osprey adults are expected to remain round the nest for some time before heading back to Africa early.
A video showing Louis and Aila looking for their eggs after the incident was released by The Woodland Trust.
