LOCH OF THE LOWES - JULY 2021

Link to June 2021

History of Ospreys at Loch of the Lowes

Webcam page with links to LotL Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve FB, Twitter and Blogs >>>

https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/

All captures and videos ©Scottish Wildlife Trust/Loch of the Lowes

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Arrival dates: Laddie - 21st March  NC0 - 25th March

Three eggs laid: Egg #1 - 11.4.21  Egg #2 - 14.4.21  Egg #3 - 17.4.21

Hatch dates: Chick #1 - 18.5.21 (37 days)  Chick #2 - 20.5.21 (36 days)  Chick #3 - 22.5.21 (35 days)

25.5.21 - Third chick passed away Broken heart

22.6.21 - Chicks ringed: #1 - LR1 (female)  #2 - LR2 (male) 

26.6.21 - NC0 catches a fish

Ringing Blog >>> Meet our newly ringed osprey chicks - LR1 and LR2

PT4(19) arrives back in the UK: Blog by Joanna Dailey >>> An important visitor - Kielder Ospreys

9.7.21 - LR1 fledged at 52 days old, 17:01 >>> First Osprey Chick LR1 Fledges

Blog >>> We have lift off

12.7.21 - LR2 fledged at 53 days old, c17:40 Blog: LR2 fledges

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From little 'fluff balls' to almost fully grown ospreys, LR1 and LR2 are doing amazingly well all thanks to the fantastic ongoing care from NC0 and Laddie (LM12). Not only have we seen Laddie providing fish for his family but NC0 has been successful several times just recently as well - what first-class parents they are! There continues to be the occasional intrusion from ospreys passing through, however, the nest and chicks have been protected outstandingly. We look forward to the next exciting phase in the young ospreys' development.

  • 21:38 A very vocal LR2 flew onto the perch

    LR1 and NC0 are still on the birch. NC0 has moved to the furthest right branch, her diving spot

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 22:03 LR2 flew from the nest to the low, middle part of the birch

  • 17 July

    Empty nest all night.

    04:45 - First lander was probably LR1, on Mama's perch at the back, only stayed 3 minutes, flew off I couldn't see where, started off to the right.

    04:59 - NC0 flew in with moderate calls, empty-taloned, almost immediately an LR flew in from the right and another from the inlet - I wonder if breakfish might be on the way?

    They all gradually gave up waiting and by 05:19 the nest was empty.

    05:47 - They'd all gathered on the nest again, only had to wait 2 minutes:

    Glancing at the nest now, I see an LR self-feeding and NC0 and the other LR waiting patiently.

  • Morning Scylla and all
    It was good to see LR2 claim the fish, albeit with a bit of help from NC0 who pulled it from Laddie's talons and left it for the youngster to pick it up.


    He ate really well and walked away which left LR1 (right) to take over.

    When she'd had enough, LR1 flew from the nest and NC0 picked up the remaining fish - she fed LR2 before he left.

     NC0 enjoyed the rest, finishing it off just after 7:15

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 7:35 Scene at present - NC0 having some time to herself

    ©SWt/LotL

  • Around 8:37, there was an intruder around. NC0 mantled/chipped on the nest (LR1 was there too). Laddie flew in with a twiggy stick and began chipping/mantling too. He took flight (using LR1 as a launch pad!) and headed towards the birch, a very vocal NC0 followed him. The intruder was chased away from the birch area by them both

    Laddie top left above the birch branch, NC0 lower right, intruder top right

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A summary of nest activity from this morning since the above post. 

    11:00 NC0 brought a fish to the nest. She waited almost 5 minutes and when neither of the youngsters arrived, she flew off

    11:35 Laddie came to the nest with a clump of hay

    He did some nestorising while there as well as chilling out before NC0 arrived with her fish, which was headless (11:45ish)

    Laddie left

    LR1 arrived to the nest and took the fish from NC0

    12:00 LR1 left the nest after finishing her meal 

    ©SWT/LotL

  • This afternoon...

    12:16 While NC0 was on the nest, Laddie arrived and there was brief chipping/mantling from the pair of them

    No threat seen and they spent a while enjoying a break from the youngster Slight smile

    12:30ish Laddie left

    Just before 16:00, NC0 arrived with a fish

    LR1 arrived

    Then LR2

    NC0 began feeding them both

    LR1 then took the fish and self fed

    LR2 waited and it appeared to me that LR1 passed him a morsel of fish (he certainly ate something)

    LR1 left the nest after LR2 took the tail end of fish. He was still tucking in when Laddie arrived with a fresh catch at 16:20

    NC0 gingerly, for some reason, took it from him

    NC0 fed LR2 with it

    After having his fill, LR2 flew off. NC0 left the nest around 17:00

    LR1 was on the nest at 18:15 but has since left

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 19:17 LR1 resting

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 19:47 LR1 was the only one present to claim Laddie's fish delivery. LR2 flew in immediately

    While LR1 was eating, NC0 dived from the birch then had a brief fly around and landed on a middle branch (perhaps to de-head). After a short while she came to the nest with her fish

    LR1 flew off. NC0 fed LR2 during which, LR1 came back and landed on the perch, still with her fish - she didn't stay long. NC0 continued to feed LR2 until the fish was finished.

    LR2 flew from the nest around 20:00, NC0 a few minutes after him

    ©SWT/LotL