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)
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
There was a small, headless fish delivery for NC0 at 17:23 - Laddie had flown from the birch, NC0 was up from the eggs, calling, as he made his way over the Loch to the nest
NC0 carried the fish off in her left talons
©SWT/LotL
NC0 returned to the nest with a twig at 18:40 - Laddie was aerating the nest cup
She placed it alongside other sticks at the front edge of the nest
Laddie had settled back down on the eggs
He eventually got up to allow NC0 to incubate
Off he went
19:31 It's a beautiful evening at Lowes
20:04 Laddie to the nest with a clump of dried grasses (I think!)
NC0 was calling for more fish
She flew from the nest and headed towards the birch
She chased 2 crows from the birch...
then headed off for a flight (upwards, out of cam view)
She returned to the birch from the far side of the Loch
NC0 returned to the nest perch at 20:49
She came onto the nest and fiddled with a lichen stick, trying to get it to lay flat
Laddie stood up as NC0 approached the nest cup
Off he went, flying directly to the birch
NC0 sorted out the clump of grass that Laddie had brought in earlier and revealed its green side
Both in their same positions at 21:15
Night cam came on a minute later
Morning All,
Laddie took over incubation at 5:30, relieving a frost-covered NC0 of her overnight duty
NC0 did not shake her wings prior to taking off
7:40 Laddie, 2 hours and 10 minutes into his shift. A couple of geese were noisily heading off from the Loch.
8:03 Laddie dozing in the morning sunshine
There was a thud above the cam at 7:45, presumably it was NC0, there was no reaction from Laddie at the time.
BFN
There was an unringed intruder at the nest at 9:30 - Laddie came to defend and give chase while NC0 was incubating.
NC0 looking skyward
Laddie to the nest
Laddie ready to defend
The unringed intruder hovered above
Almost a touchdown
Intruder flew away
Laddie gave chase
NC0 protected the eggs by spreading her wings over the nest cup. She remained in that pose for a little while after as well.
Edit: Laddie was back to the nest with some grass at 10:18
Apologies for the delay in posting the pics.
The unringed intruder was back at 14:37 while NC0 was incubating.
NC0 on alert as the intruder hovered above the nest
NC0 flapped it away, the intruder headed up, out of cam view
...but came back down
NC0 flapped at it as the intruder tried to land
The intruder headed off
NC0 settled back down on the eggs
She was still on alert a minute or so later, the intruder came back again - her tail was fanned as she stood up
It flew over the nest (talons in pic)
And away
NC0 resumed incubation
Laddie to the nest for a short stay at 16:43 - NC0 was fish calling
17:40 NC0 at present
I don't think I've missed anything else 'untoward' while scrolling through the footage.
18:20 An intruder again! NC0 chipped and stood up as it flew over the nest - BLUE RINGED, RIGHT LEG, THIS TIME! (pics taken on 0.25 speed, just as the other intruder ones were)
It veered off to the left
Could this have been 8C returning to Lowes again? Though perhaps not dark chested enough?
20:56 NC0 has been fish calling and looking towards the birch - could Laddie be there eating a fish? It's so hard to tell in this light but he was on that branch with a small, headless fish yesterday before bringing it to the nest