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

  • At 10:00, NC0 returned to the nest with a small stick, much to LP8's disappointment

    LP8 still wanting a fish as NC0 did a bit of tidying

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Mantling/chipping from NC0 at 10:35

    Both shouted

    Intruder came close?

    Both defensive

    Tracking

    NC0 left the nest

    She headed high, out of cam view but then...

    ..she was seen chasing an intruder

    Chipping/alarm calling could be heard. LP8 stayed put

    LP8 settled down on the nest at 10:42ish

    Finally leaving at 10:47ish. 

    LP8 landed behind the birch in the area highlighted

    11:10 ENS since then

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A brave intruder to tackle those 2 feisty females (I’m sure LP8 is) on the nest!
  • Hi Glider.

    I'm in two minds now about LP8's gender, sometimes 'it' looks so much larger in comparison to LR0, then other times not. Thinking

    13:15 LP8 has been on the nest for over 45 minutes, occasionally fish calling

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 13:32 A 'live' perch from Laddie to LP8 (at last, patience rewarded!)

    LP8 picked it up in its beak

    The fish was dropped and it flapped

    LP8 contained it as Laddie flew away

    Guarding its prize

    Once bringing the fish to the front of the nest, LP8 was very wary and looked around

    Hmm, who's on the birch?

    LR0 was. Incoming to the nest

    As LR0 landed, LP8 shooed him away

    Finally settled to eat 6 or so minutes after the fish was delivered

    13:55

    14:03 LR0 laying down and fish calling having given up waiting, while LP8 continues to eat

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 14:30, LP8 feaked its beak after eating all of the fish

    Waited for a little while...

    ...then left the nest. LR0 was fish calling

    LP8 landed on the birch. LR0 did some 'tidying' and picked up a few small morsels of fish that had dropped between the front edge sticks

    He made an attempt at nest scraping..

    Called once again for fish...

    Then flew from the nest at 14:42ish

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 15:16, LP8 was on the perch, LR0 on the nest, when NC0 flew in with some grasses in her right talons. Both juvies were screeching

    LR0 was still shouting as NC0 contemplated leaving the nest, which she did at 15:35ish. 

    15:46 Presently, LR0 is laying down while LP8 remains on the perch

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 15:58 Alarm calls from LR0 who left the nest, quickly followed by LP8.

    Both watching something

    A clump of grass caught in LR0's talons on his flight away

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 16:17 A small fish from Laddie. LP8, who had been on the perch, was ready to collect it. There was screeching above the cam as Laddie approached the nest

    Laddie did not appreciate his talons being pulled...twice!

    The fish dropped, LP8 picked it up

    Laddie left the nest pretty quick!

    16:28 LR0 down from the cam post

    16:31 LR0, left

    16:33 Nothing left for LR0

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 16:53 Another small, 'live' perch delivery from Laddie. LR0 was already on the nest to claim it

    The fish appeared to dangle in mid-air as LR0 grabbed hold of Laddie's talons, though it was probably still attached

    The fish flapped on the nest

    LR0 finally grabbed hold of it

    The poor fish was still flapping as LR0 began his meal

    ©SWT/LotL