LOCH OF THE LOWES - MARCH/APRIL 2023

Link to all blogs and updates throughout the 2022 season

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/

For the latest 'live' YouTube link, visit >>> SWT YT Channel

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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2022 return dates: LM12 (Laddie) - 13th March; NC0(16) - 23rd March

Looking forward to welcoming back Laddie and NC0 to this wonderful location at Loch of the Lowes. Will Laddie, in his 12th season, beat his earliest arrival date that he achieved last year? Will NC0, her 4th season, be heard before she is seen on cam? Could we see the return of their 2021 offspring, LR1 and LR2? Here's hoping they have safe, spring migrations so as to grace our screens once again. 

Nest Updates

Arrival dates: NC0 - 17.3.23 (07:43)   Laddie - 17.3.23 (13:43)

Eggs laid: Egg #1 - 4.4.23 (09:32)   Egg #2 - 7.4.23 (09:39)   Egg #3 - 10.4.23 (09:10)

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March/April Blogs and Updates (published dates)

28.2.23 SWT video >>> Prepping the Osprey Nest for the Season

17.3.23 SWT (News) blog >>> Successful reunion of breeding ospreys at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve

24.3.23 LotL blog >>> Breeding osprey return to Loch of the Lowes on the same day!

3.4.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 2 

5.4.23 LotL blog >>> First egg of the osprey season - Week 2

7.4.23 LotL blog >>> Second Egg for Osprey Pair at Loch of the Lowes

10.4.23 LotL blog >>> Easter Egg Surprises - The Arrival of the Third Egg and an Unwanted Guest

16.4.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes- Week 3

21.4.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes - Weeks 4 & 5

23.4.23 LotL blog >>> Loch of the Lowes Osprey Sighted on their First Migration North

25.4.23 LotL blog >>> Let’s Eggsamine NC0’s Three-Egg Clutch

30.4.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 6

  • Morning All,

    Laddie arrived at 5:15, he appeared glance at the fish before he relieving NC0 of her overnight incubation

    At 5:39ish, while NC0 was on the birch, Laddie began to chip/alarm call. He stood up in defence as something unseen flew over the nest

    He was about to settle back down on the nest cup when he began to chip again

    No threat so he continued to incubate

    NC0 came back to the nest perch after Laddie had settled, he was still on alert

    NC0 headed back to the birch after spending almost 5 minutes keeping Laddie company

    TBC

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Cont'd...

    6:12 Aha, what did Laddie see? lol

    He made a high-pictched 'squeak' as he picked up the fish

    He had a small bite from it...

    ...then, once firmly in his talons, he made a couple of contact calls alerting NC0 that he was leaving with his breakfish

    NC0 was back on the eggs a minute later

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie came back with the fish, which had line of trailing skin hanging from it, at 6:43

    He continued to eat

    Moved to the front right of the nest and after a couple of contact calls, he headed to the birch

    NC0 continued to incubate until Laddie, without any fish, flapped down to the nest (from above the cam) to take over at 9:08

    She shooed a crow from the birch before landing

    Back she came for a quick visit at 9:30

    ...and returned soon after to take over incubation

    10:29 NC0 continuing to incubate

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie incubated again at 11:21. On NC0's return to take over at 12:51, the cam zoomed in for the changeover

    Pure guess work but I think egg #1 was nearest the cam, #2 back, left, and of course we know that #3 was back, right

    A strand of dried grass in her beak as she moved a clump of grass in front of her

    She couldn't have been comfortable so rose again giving a quick glimpse of the 3rd egg

    She cleaned her right eye 

    Cam panned back out to normal nest view

    NC0 sitting pretty, just over an hour later, at 13:54

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie paid a brief visit to the nest at 14:03, NC0 was asking for fish

    Off he went

    He headed directly left until out of cam view

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie came back at 14:05 with some nesting material. The cam zoomed in once again - what a treat!

    So stunningly beautiful! Heart eyes

    He left, NC0 was still asking for fish

    Back to normal nest view

    ©SWT/LotL

  • The cam zoomed in again at 15:37 until 15:55 - the only clear view of the eggs during this session

    15:55

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 16:40 Cam, again, zoomed in on an incubation changeover

    Shuffling down

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 was only away for 5 minutes. There were a swarm of gnats? hovering around

    Stick rearranging

    Oopsie-daisy, NC0! (The insects had gone)

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Three short videos have been posted today on SWT's YT channel, these can be viewed within this week's blog:

    Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes- Week 3