LOCH OF THE LOWES - MAY 2022

Link to March/April 2022

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/

The Osprey Protection Programme at Loch of the Lowes is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

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

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Laddie (LM12) and NC0 have continued their excellent partnership from last season, not only with the incubation of their three beautiful eggs but also in defending the nest, and area, from intruding Ospreys.

During the middle of this month, all being well, we will witness three gorgeous chicks hatching and being lovingly cared for by their wonderful parents. Here’s hoping that fine weather, abundant deliveries of fish from Laddie, as well as NC0’s feeding skills, will see the little ones thrive.

Nest Updates

Arrival dates:  Laddie - 13.3.22 (c12:00)   NC0 - 23.3.22 (18:14)

Three eggs laid:  Egg #1 - 12.4.22 (18:34)   Egg #2 - 15.4.22 (16:05)   Egg #3 - 18.4.22 (12:14)

Hatch dates:  Chick #1 - 19.5.22 (10:26) - 37 days   Chick #2 - 21.5.22 (03:24) - 36 days   Chick #3 - 23.5.22 (19:46) - 35 days

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May Blogs and Updates:

Links to blogs and updates during March/April can be found here here

1.5.22: Blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes - Week 4

5.5.22: Recorded Webinar Event on 28.4.22 (2hr 9m) >>> Live from the Loch

7.5.22: Blog >>> Intruder Series: Ospreys

8.5.22: Blog >>> Osprey Diary Loch of the Lowes - Week 5

12.5.22: SWT YT Video >>> Two Ringed Intruders in One Morning!

14.5.22: Blog >>> Intruder Series – Egyptian Geese, Corvids, Canada Geese 

15.5.22: Blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes - Week 6 

16.5.22: Blog >>> Eggsellent Data from Loch of the Lowes!

18.5.22: Egg #1 - SWT YT Video >>> First signs of hatching

19.5.22: Blog >>> First chick hatches at Loch of the Lowes!

20.5.22: Blog >>> Osprey Chick #1’s First Day at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve

21.5.22: Blog >>> Second Osprey Chick Hatches at Loch of the Lowes!

23.5.22: Blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 7 (An eggsxciting week!)

23.5.22: Blog >>> Third osprey chick hatches at Loch of the Lowes!

26.5.22: Blog >>> A Special Guest on the Nest – Intruding Osprey ‘Rothiemurchus’ visits Loch of the Lowes

27.5.22: SWT YT Video >>> NC0 Partakes In Some Windy Gymnastics

29.5.22: PT4 settles at Kielder. Blog by Joanna Dailey >>> A new resident at Nest 8

29.5.22: Blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 8 (Chick-tastic and a Celebrity Guest!)

  • Video of her unexpected exit 07.36 this morning

  • Gosh! Poor NC0 Even thechicks wondered where she had gone
  • Oh my goodness....!!
    Thanks Geemeff.
  • From scroll back. There was a fish delivery at 14:31ish

    #2 on the left and #3 were up. #1 snoozing

    #2 had a few bites first then NC0 offered to #3

    Laddie left at around 14:35. #1 was up at this time, leaving #3 at the back

    NC0 then fed #1 and #2 and they got a fair few number of bites each. She managed to get through the elder two to give #3 a couple of bits

    NC0 over-reached to pop this bit into #3's beak

    Even more was plied into #3 once #2 lay down, #1 had an occasion piece at this time as well

    This went on until #3 turned away from the feed

    A bit more for #1

    Feed over, all ate really well! Slight smile

    20 minutes from fish delivery to end of the feed

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie delivered a large 'live' fish at 15:40

    To #1 (#2 on the left, #3 behind). 

    All the chicks appeared to have full crops before the feed started but there's always room for more!  Slight smile

    Once again, NC0 fed the elder two chicks first. This showing #2 and #1 'playing' tug 'o fish'

    #1 won that but #2 got the next bite

    NC0 didn't forget #3 

    Close to the end of the 20ish minute feed

    #2 turned away

    #3 laying down

    Three very full and satisfied chicks!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 17:39 The wind is really gusty as it has been all day. NC0 had been standing on the left side of the nest, preening. She settled back down on the chicks, thank goodness!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 18:30 And another 'live' fish from Laddie!

    #2 was offered the first bite

    #1 decided it was time to show its dominance over #2.  #2 started it though after #1 got into position for the feed

    #3 very wisely kept its head down

    Laddie flew off

    A piece of fish for #1

    Cam panned out. More fish for #1

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A continuation of the feed

    #2 and #3 both got up. NC0 feeding #2

    #1 made its way further forward

    NC0 alternated between both of the older chicks but then found her way through to #3 - its patience was rewarded! #1 and #2 were also given more in between #3's bites that I've shown below

    NC0 stretched over to reach #3 here

    Another stretch over to reach the little one

    NC0 eating the fish tail

    #3 was the first to lay down. #2 getting with the last piece of fish from the clean up

    #2 and #1 standing with full crops, #3 laying down between them

    Feed over. NC0 settled on the babes

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 21:27 Yet another fish from Laddie! I think this came as a surprise as she hadn't been fish calling at all, she only vocalised seconds before he landed

    Good grief, it's headless and huge! #1 up and ready, #2 left, #3 right

    A contact call and then Laddie left the nest

    ©SWT/LotL

  • #2 and #3 joined the feed

    End of feed. #2 left, #1 lying down, #3 right

    All the chicks were full by the time NC0 settled to brood at 21:38

    Both Laddie and NC0 have been magnificent today. Brilliant fishing from Laddie and NC0 being superb to ensure the chicks were fed well! What stars they are! Hugging

    ©SWT/LotL