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

  • At 11:05ish, while Laddie was on an incubation duty, he became agitated and began to alarm call/chip - was this morning's intruder back again? There was a flight over the Loch from the far left side of the birch

    He stood up and, making high-pitched alarm calls, flapped his wings

    Chipping

    NC0 arrived

    More chipping from Laddie

    He took off

    NC0 settled on the eggs but still very much watchful

    ©SWT/LotL

  • The next time I saw Laddie at the nest was at 13:48ish when he arrived with a piece of bark

    He relieved NC0 from incubation

    Resting his eyes

    NC0 paid a short visit around 14:00 - she spent a little bit of time preening before leaving again. She flew low around the birch corner and out of view

    15:14 Laddie stared intently. NC0 was on the birch

    He stood up, flapped his wings, made a short contact call and shot off the nest

    NC0 was back almost immediately

    When Laddie returned at 15:42ish, NC0 called for fish

    After spending 20 minutes keeping NC0 company, he headed off

    17:05 Laddie came back with a clump of grass, NC0 was not best pleased and told him so while he stood on the nest!

    Her fish calls were quite insistent as he flew away at 17:14

    NC0 preening at 17:35

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 20:04 An intruder is around!

    NC0 was calm and *Laddie was on the birch

    Laddie left his position to fly towards the nest. NC0 began to alarm call

    She stood up and flapped her wings

    Chipping heard

    Another came into view and headed off to the right

    Laddie continued his flight straight ahead and went out of view

    Laddie arrived on the nest several seconds after

    He flew off at 20:06

    * I can only assume that it was Laddie on the birch - NC0 began her alarm call once that bird took flight. She wasn't at all distressed or alarmed while it was resting on NC0's diving branch, which it had been for quite some time

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 20:21 Laddie to the nest with a clump of grass. NC0 was fish calling just beforehand

    He flew off the nest, landing low down on the birch at 20:24. NC0 was still calling for fish

    There were no more visits from Laddie.

    21:20 NC0 was very sleepy just prior to night cam coming on

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Good morning All,

    8:24 NC0 has remained on incubation, she hasn't even popped off for a quick comfort break. No appearance from Laddie as yet

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 9:32 Still no sign of Laddie

    I'm out and about today but will keep an eye on the cam (on my phone), as and when I can. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie arrived with a fish at 11:38

    It was very gratefully received!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 12:01 Great to see you, Laddie! NC0 is on the birch

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 17:13, while NC0 was incubating, she gave her wings a good flap and headed off for a quick comfort break

    The cam zoomed in

    NC0 returned, making a contact call on landing

    Preparing to shimmy down on the eggs

    The cam panned out after a several minutes

    Laddie with another incubation duty at 18:02 after bringing a clump of nesting material. NC0 had been fish calling as he'd made his flight from the birch area

    NC0 returned at 18:18, she told Laddie she would like a fish

    Laddie delivered NC0's supper at 20:54 - she was already up from the eggs, calling excitedly, as he made his flight to the nest

    NC0 landed on the birch

    Laddie at 21:16

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 came back at 21:20, landing on the nest perch without any fish in her talons

    Cam zoomed in 

    She flapped onto the nest

    NC0 had a quick natter to say she wanted to take over

    Off he went

    He headed off in the direction of the birch

    Cam panned out

    Both settled before night cam came on at 21:25

    21:56 Shhh...NC0 at present

    ©SWT/LotL