LOCH OF THE LOWES - JULY 2022

Link to June 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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Things continued to go well at the beginning of June and on the 4th, we celebrated a record nine fish delivery day from Laddie. During the following week, the number of fish brought to the nest took a sudden decline and with this, we witnessed chick #3 befalling to sibling aggression - first from chick #1 and then chick #2. Very sadly, this then led to the dear Osplet being blocked from getting close to NC0 for feeding. Devastatingly, after a very early fish delivery on the morning of the 15th June, the middle chick subjected the youngest to a severe attack from which, in its weakened state, it could not get up from. The little one passed away on the nest a few hours later at the age of 23 days old.

  Purple heartSoar high and free, brave #3 - you will always be remembered...Purple heart

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Subsequent to the passing of the youngest chick, fish deliveries from Laddie began to increase with him even outdoing his previous record by bringing an amazing ten to the nest on a single day. NC0 made her first dive from the split birch (since the chicks had hatched) on the 24th June and brought her catch back to the nest, much to the surprise of the chicks!
The youngsters have continued to grow at an amazing rate and, on the evening of the 27th June - at the ages of 39 and 37 days old respectively - they were ringed. Their genders could not be determined.
A milestone for the chicks was observed on the evening of the 29th June when both self-fed and the following day, LR0 showed its strength of character to successfully claim two fish!
Hopefully, LP8 and LR0 will continue to do well and that we will witness their successful fledges this month.

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

15.6.22:  At 23 days old, chick #3 passed away Broken heart

27.6.22:  Our osprey chicks have been ringed! (Genders not able to be positively determined, ? both males)

Chick #1: LP8 (39 days old) - wing measurement = 360mm, weight = 1.5kg

Chick #2: LR0 (37 days old) - wing measurement = 315mm, weight = 1.44kg

Fledge dates: LP8 - 13.7.22 (10:06) 55 days old   LR0 - 15.7.22 (13:55) 55 days old

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July Blogs and Updates:

Links to blogs and updates during March/AprilMay, and June

2.7.22:  Female Osprey NC0 brings a Monster Pike to the Nest

3.7.22:  Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 13 (inclusive of ringing data)

8.7.22:  Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 14

12:7.22:  Osprey Chick LP8 Close To Fledging (SWT YT video)

13.7.22:  Eldest Osprey Chick LP8 Fledges!

29.7.22:  Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 17

  • Morning all

    NC0 found the fish tail at 5:15ish, LR0 to the nest. There must have still been the minutest amount of flesh remaining and NC0 gave him some bites from it. She left the nest a few minutes after, LR0 had taken the fin

    6:02 A 'live' fish from Laddie to LP8 who was already at the nest

    LR0, who had been on the nest waiting for his turn at the fish, finally got its chance at 6:59. LP8 had finished eating and so left the nest leaving an easy pick-up for LR0

    He was down to the fish tail at 7:24 and I think it was swallowed

    LR0, after feaking his beak, flew from the nest at 7:25

    7:45 ENS since LR0's departure

    A busy day for me but will pop on when I can. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • There was another good sized fish delivery at 8:00. NC0 was alone on the nest to take it.


    LR0 arrived and received a feed

    After having enough, LR0 left the nest at 8:22

    NC0 continued to eat for herself

    She then stood around waiting and waiting

    But with no takers, NC0 flew off to the birch with the fish at 9:20

    LP8 arrived at the nest for a brief visit at 9:41

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 came to the nest (from the birch) with the remainder of the fish at 10:20

    She stood waiting for just over 25 minutes but no juvie appeared.

    She headed off back to the birch with the fish of which there was a fair amount remaining

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A large, 'live' brown trout for LR0, delivered by Laddie at 15:19. LR0 was already stationed on the nest

    There must have been an intruder in the area, Laddie was chipping, LR0 guarded its fish

    With a few contact calls, Laddie then flew from the nest

    LR0 called to warn whoever landed above the cam that it was his fish (after seemingly tracking them. He.waited a while before beginning his meal

    15:38 Still alone on the nest, eating

    ©SWT/LotL

  • LR0 finally walked away from the fish at 16:53, after continuously eating undisturbed, and flapped onto the perch. LP8 had been waiting on the nest for its turn to eat for about 10 minutes - an easy take!

    Still plenty of fish remaining for a really good meal for LP8

    LR0 flew from the nest at 16:55ish

    17:10

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 18:31 LP8 gave up on what was left of the fish and flew from the nest, heading towards the birch area and low around the corner of it.


    NC0 didn't waste much time to flap down onto the nest from the cam post. She walked over to the remains of the fish and began to eat. (Edit: She did finish of the rest of it)

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie delivered a corker of a headless fish at 19:32. NC0 had landed on the nest moments before he did

    NC0 waited for well over a minute until LP8 arrived

    The battle of the season for a fish (so far) then began! NC0 moved the fish to the front edge of the nest

    LP8 tried to pull the fish away from NC0 but her talons were well and truly gripped into it

    LP8 tugged and tugged but NC0 wasn't budging

    NC0 pulled the fish away

    Another attempt from LP8

    NC0 finally released her grip and success for LP8

    LP8 took the fish to the back of the nest to commence feeding

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 20:15 LR0 had been on the nest for about 15 minutes waiting for LP8 to stop eating. LP8 stood away from the fish and LR0 took over

    20:50

    20:51 LR0 walked away from the fish

    20:53 Laddie arrived, collected the remainder of the fish and took it away with him

    NC0 could be heard shouting on the birch

    ©SWT/LotL

  • It didn't take NC0 long to head to the nest

    She continued to shout. NC0's feathers were wet so she must have had a bathe

    NC0 in that 'drying feathers' pose

    LR0 joined his mum on the perch...

    ...before heading off to behind the lower lower birch area at 21:00

    21:33 NC0 enjoying her 'me' time

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 21:55 NC0 fish shouting!

    ©SWT/LotL