An osprey has returned to a Scottish nature reserve for the 13th year in a row.

EJ has raised 23 chicks at the Loch Garten reserve in Speyside since first visiting in 2013.

She returned to the Cairngorms from Africa 12 days earlier this year than in 2015 .

RSPB Scotland’s Jess Tomes, said: “Last year was like something out of a soap opera at Loch Garten. Both EJ and Odin were present but we had an interloping male osprey visiting the nest attempting to ingratiate himself with EJ while Odin was away on hunting trips.

“The rival male actually kicked Odin and EJ’s eggs from the nest and in the end things got so torrid that the birds failed to raise a family for the first time in years. This season we’re hoping for plainer sailing and a happy osprey family.”

Ospreys have bred at Loch Garten since the 1950s after becoming extinct in the region in the 20th Century. RSPB Scotland has been involved with their protection since 1958.

The Loch Garten Osprey Centre is set to reopen on April 1.