LOCH OF THE LOWES - AUGUST 2022 TO END OF FEBRUARY 2023

Link to July 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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So, we now enter August knowing that we will only have the pleasure of watching this beautiful family all together for a limited number of weeks.
Both LP8 and LR0 have transformed into two strong, independent individuals. Their attentive parents have continued to provide for and nurture them and this, in turn, has given the juveniles a basis to continue their growth into full adulthood, wherever they decide to settle during the next couple of years.
Last season, NC0 began her southerly migration on the 22nd August; Laddie on the 25th (these dates were their last webcam sightings). We can only hope that all of the 2022 family have safe, unhindered journeys to warmer climes, aided by fair winds as well as an abundance of fish along the way, and that we will welcome Laddie and NC0 back to this stunning Loch of the Lowes location in the spring of 2023. 

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

Migration/Last Seen dates: NC0 - 11.8.22  Laddie - 26.8.22  LP8 (100 do) and LR0 (98 do) - 27.8.22                        

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August Blogs and Updates:

Links to blogs and updates during March/AprilMayJune, and July

12.8.22: Last Supper From NC0? (SWT video recorded at 17:20 on 10.8.22)

23.8.22:  Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes: Week 21

25.8.22: Blog -  Homeward Bound – Ospreys on the Move

9.9.22: End of Season Blog: Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes: So Long and Thanks for all the Fish!

  • From scroll back, I can only find one fish delivery this afternoon, that was from NC0 to LP8 - a chunky, headless salmon at 12:57ish

    Flew from behind the cam to make her approach to the nest

    LR0 arrived, a little ungracefully, at 13:20

    Within moments, NC0 mantled/alarm called - unseen intruder

    NC0 left the nest at 13:42

    15:00 After staying on the nest waiting for LP8 to finish eating, LR0 made an attempt to steal the fish...

    ...but instead grabbed hold of its sibling's talons and LP8 got dragged across the nest. The fish dropped

    LR0 looked to see where the fish was while LP8 feaked its beak

    LP8 flew off

    It took a few moments for LR0 to realise the fish was still there

    Then headed over to it

    He swallowed the fish tail at 15:35

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A small, 'live' fish delivery from Laddie at 21:00, LP8 and LR0 were on the nest to receive it.

    LP8 tried to pick up the flapping fish

    LR0 then had a go

    LP8 tried again (all the while, the fish was flapping on the nest)

    LP8 had a peck at LR0's head

    LR0 moved away

    Laddie left the nest. LR0 found the fish and picked it up in his beak

    Transferred into his talons

    LP8 moved closer and made an attempt to take the fish

    LR0 took off with the fish firmly in his talons

    He made a full circle flight...

    ...but instead of bringing the fish back to the nest, headed up to the cam post

    21:14 "Are you not going to share?"

    ©SWT/LotL

  • From thereon in, LP8 continued to fish call until leaving the nest at 21:35

    Here, flying over to the opposite side of the Loch

    Almost a couple of minutes later, LR0 flapped down from the cam post

    I assume it was LP8 who landed on the birch

    LP8 left the birch and flew low over the Loch, dipping its talons in the water along the way

    LP8 did a u-turn and flew back towards the birch and headed low into the area behind it 

    LR0 didn't wait much longer on the nest and he himself flew off

    As far as I could tell, he headed into the same area as LP8

    No Ospreys were roosting on the birch just before night cam came on at 22:02

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Morning all,
    A lovely-sized fish from Laddie to LR0 at 7:28. Well, this was eventful!

    LR0 arrived at the nest

    He vocalised BUT, from across the Loch, a non-osprey flew towards him at speed and headed over the nest

    Its tail, top of pic. Very pale tips

    Laddie then came from the same direction to deliver the fish

    In his haste to grab hold of the fish, LR0 got close to the edge of the nest but was able to right himself to collect it

    Laddie left the nest

    8:32 Four minutes into his meal, LR0 was disturbed

    Made a few short alarm calls...

    And shot off the nest with his fish, alarm calling

    There was a chase back and forth over the Loch as well as by the birch - LR0 made more alarm calls 

    He landed on the birch, still sounding off.

    LR0 came back to the nest with his fish after a short while

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 8:25 LP8, who had been on the nest after arriving at 7:47, approached LR0 while he was still tucking into his fish

    LR0 took the fish off the nest

    LP8 watched LR0's flight 

    LP8 remained on the nest, fish calling

    Then flew off at 8:32

    LP8 did return for a short visit at 9:22 but, at time of posting (10:30), no other Osprey sightings on the nest

    ©SWT/LotL

  • There was a 'live' fish delivery from Laddie at 11:41. LP8 had seen him approach whilst shouting on the cam post, jumped onto the nest in time to receive the fish before he landed

    LP8 was alone on the nest throughout the feeding session and, after picking up any dropped morsels, flew off at 12:19

    As far as I can see, no other Osprey visits to the nest up to 13:58

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 14:00 Laddie arrived to an empty nest with a headless fish

    LR0 appeared at 14:03

    As LR0 took the fish, Laddie began to alarm call loudly

    He flew off the nest

    At 14:27, LP8 joined his sibling on the nest (LR0 had not eaten from the fish, just stood with it up until this point). There was distant chipping/alarm calling

    Both were quiet and watchful for a number of minutes..

    Then became very animated with flapping and alarm calling at an unseen intruder

    After the threat had passed, both remained calm. LR0 left the nest at 14:58, taking the fish with him

    LP8 remained on the nest until leaving at 15:13

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 16:10 LP8 on the nest at present and has been for the past 38 minutes

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 20:18 A large, headless fish from Laddie. LP8 was a fraction second quicker than LR0 to get its beak onto it

    LP8 warned LR0

    Laddie left the nest

    20:43 LR0 still waiting for his share

    ©SWT/LotL

  • LR0 managed to make a successful steal at 21:17

    LP8 left the nest at 21:21

    LP8 headed over the body of water close to the birch. I'm unsure but there may have been some talon dipping

    LP8 making its way inbound towards the lower area of trees to the left side of the nest

    LP8 then made an appearance through the gaps of the trees behind the nest, flying towards the birch. As usual, it landed low into the tree area behind the birch

    At 22:12, there was only the fish tail remaining

    LR0 walked away from it

    He had a good flap/stretch of his wings

    And stepped up to the perch

    He flew from the perch at 22:15. 

    The fish tail must be hidden at the back of the nest where he'd left it, probably moved it out of clear view when in that area flapping his wings (so hard to distinguish it in this light)

    ©SWT/LotL