LOCH OF THE LOWES - MAY 2023

Continued from March/April 2023

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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NC0 surprised us all when she arrived back at Lowes first, with Laddie making his initial landing exactly 6 hours later. She laid her three beautiful eggs after almost near-perfect, precise intervals of 72 hours between each one. Both Laddie and NC0 have regularly exchanged incubation duties and have been very attentive to protect their eggs, and nest, from multiple intrusions during April. The hatching window will open around the 10th May, all being well.

  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)

Hatch dates: Chick #1 - 13.5.23 (11:59 fully out of shell 12:11)  Chick #2 - 16.5.23 (04:19)  *Egg #1 - DNH*

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Link to blogs and updates during March/April

May Blogs and Updates (published dates)

6.5.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 7

8.5.23 SWT video >>> Time for a Wing Stretch and Pre-Hatching Egg Close Up

11.5.23 LotL blog >>> Who’s Been On My Nest? A Closer Look at the Threats and Intrusions Faced by a Pair of Breeding Ospreys

12.5.23 SWT video >>> Osprey Chick Communicates with the Outside World

13.5.23 LotL blog >>>Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 8

13.5.23 SWT video >>> First Osprey Chick of the Season Hatches

14.5.23 LotL blog >>> Concern over male osprey, LM12

15.5.23 SWT video >>> Fish Supper and First Feed for Osprey Chick

16.5.23 LotL blog >>> An update from the osprey nest

17.5.23 SWT video >>> Second osprey chick hatching 16 May 23

20.5.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at the Loch of the Lowes – Week 9

27.5.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 10

  • Night cam came on at 21:45

    Hopefully, Laddie's been tucking in to a fish within NC0's sight and will bring the remainder to the nest, for her breakfish, early in the morning

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 21:57 Laddie to the nest, he gave NC0 a fright as he approached!

    NC0 had been aerating the nest cup, looked up and raised her wings

    No fish in his talons

    Laddie headed down to the nest cup. NC0 was making short calls

    Laddie had settled on the eggs

    NC0 flapped her wings, still making her calls

    After some preening, NC0 left the nest at 22:03

    22:13

    22:32 NC0 has not returned. Laddie continuing to incubate

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 22:36 NC0 returned to the perch, making a contact call as she landed

    Preening

    After more preening, NC0 came onto the nest. Laddie rose up from the eggs for her to resume incubation

    He 'chatted' to NC0

    Continuing to 'chat', he tapped NC0 with his left foot and then stepped on her which made her get up. Did he want to remain incubating? He hasn't done much of that today at all.

    NC0 settled back down, Laddie still conversing

    Cam zoomed in 

    Laddie flew off at 22:41

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Morning All,

    NC0 was calling at 4:40

    Still doing so at 5:00

    5:03 Laddie arrived, he didn't vocalise. NC0 was fish calling

    He rubbed his left eye a few times

    Something was stuck on it

    After a couple more rubs, whatever was there had cleared. Laddie didn't make any attempt to take over incubation

    Laddie headed off at 5:05

    NC0 at present, 7:40  Laddie hasn't been back to the nest

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 7:52 NC0 with a feather stuck on her beak

    8:00 Feather had gone. She's quiet

    Hoping Laddie brings her a fish soon.

    Off to work. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 took a comfort break at 8:31

    She could be seen in flight close to the left of the nest before returning to the nest perch shortly after - she wasn't away for long

    She preened

    Then back to the eggs

    At 9:14, NC0 made grunting calls as this bird flew towards, and down, the inlet

    She took off and gave chase over the Loch. It was probably a goose with the sounds that were heard

    Back again after getting that out of her system!

    12:01 There was an unringed intruder that made a brief appearance above the nest. It was a 'blink and you'll miss it' moment

    NC0 at present (13:18). I've not seen Laddie at the nest

    BBL

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie delivered a headless fish at 13:50

    NC0 took it off to the birch in her left talons

    ©SWT/LotL

  • It was a 2 hour incubation duty for Laddie - NC0 returned at 15:50 with a stick

      

    She flew past the left side of the nest and behind the cam...

    ...to land with it on the right side of the nest

    Laddie was straight up and flew off

    Laddie did not come into view over the Loch as NC0 placed the stick or when she settled back down to incubate

    16:53 NC0 continuing to incubate

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Good to see an earlier fish for a change

    Richard B

  • 20:37 NC0 rose from the eggs and flapped her wings, fish calling. I thought she was going to have a comfort break but instead, settled back on the eggs

    Perhaps she can see Laddie close by?

    ©SWT/LotL