Loch of the Lowes - 2010

Just logged on again and the news is very encouraging. Lady at present is looking skywards for Laird to come in again and the chicks are active.  Peter's done and up to date write up on the blog.

Great to see that improvements are ongoing.

Morning all,

BigRab's link should be http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2010/06/21/newsstory15252675t0.asp

Sheryl

Or is that from the day before?

Lindybird said:

Lovely to come on this morning and see both the LotL and L. Garten females preening, with the chicks safely beside them.

Sorry, BigRab,  your link didn't work for me just now, will try again later for it.

This is possibly Bigrab's link. See http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2010/06/21/newsstory15252675t0.asp

I think this is the latest one - pasted here for those who can't access:

LOCH OF the Lowes osprey Lady was back flying and feeding last night, but still looking a bit fragile.

“She flew off from the nest and took a couple of drinks of water from the loch and then flew back to the nest,” said visitor centre manager Peter Ferns.

“It’s quite a strange thing that’s happening. It took her some time and she seemed a bit disorientated, as if things were not computing properly.

“Later the male then left a pike for the chicks, which she showed no interest in.”

Mr Ferns described what followed as the “most amazing thing”— when mother and one of her chicks communicated with each other as the youngster was eating.

Last night at around 9pm veteran Lady looked perkier and was seen on the nest feeding beside the two chicks as the male bird returned.

Internet viewers have been captivated by Lady’s plight and this was confirmed by the fact the Loch of the Lowes web blog crashed last night as a result of the unprecedented amount of internet traffic it has generated.

At the weekend webcam viewers across the world watched as the 25-year-old female lay lifeless in her nest.

Experts feared the famed bird, who has been returning to the breeding site near Dunkeld each spring for 20 years, was just hours from death.

However Lady, who has played a huge part in the recovery of Scotland’s osprey population, is fighting back against the odds.

Yesterday morning, though she had still not eaten, she opened her eyes for the first time in 48 hours and was seen standing over her chicks to shield them from the heat.

The reserve, operated by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, operates a policy of non-intervention and staff believe she may be succumbing to old age.

Mr Ferns, who had been monitoring the nesting site, said her fight for survival showed what an amazing creature she was—but warned the show of strength could be short-lived.

He told The Courier, “The last 72 hours has been a real emotional rollercoaster for our dedicated team of staff who have watched over this amazingly resilient female as she has returned each breeding season.

“Year after year we watched the skies with bated breath fearing that she would fail to complete her 3000 mile migratory journey from West Africa.

“Now, however, we could be watching her final days on the nest as she struggles to keep going and care for her latest two chicks—part of the amazing tally of 48 chicks she has raised during her lifetime.

“Lady has become famous across the world and we’ve had more than 1000 comments on the blog in the past few days willing her to get better.”

Most ospreys live for around eight to 10 years, with many succumbing to the 3000-mile migratory journey from West Africa.

At 25 Lady is one of the oldest breeding ospreys in the world.

Scottish Wildlife Trust’s chief executive Simon Milne said, “Our policy of non-intervention is quite appropriate in this instance and while it is sad we must let nature take its course.”

Since Lady’s appearance in 1985, established breeding pairs have increased from 50 to over 200 in Scotland.

Will catch up later, have to go to the dentist.

Male brought another fish straight after, and he is feeding chicks.  So glad she had this new mate this year - I can't imagine Stressed Eric in the domestic role of "New Man".

Chicks are now getting some fish from Marge - having to grab it from her rather than her placing it in their beaks.

Thank you so much Sue C for the link, and to Ross for those amazing photographs! Some wonderful moments captured in crystal clarity :-)

The Laird is back with yet another fish, and this one looks huge! What a fantastic mate this great Lady has! The future of the family, and ospreys in Scotland in general, looks very bright now :-)