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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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*
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
Afternoon Karen, Richard and Glider
Thanks so much for the time stamp for the large, headless fish delivery, Richard
She took her meal to the area where Laddie had eaten his fill. Is that going to be the new feeding spot they use, I wonder?
©SWT/LotL
Laddie took a comfort break at 10:00. He didn't alert NC0, who was on the birch, to the fact he was popping off for a little while
He was back within 2 minutes, making a contact call as he came onto the nest
NC0 returned with a small stick at 11:09
Laddie headed off
Laddie was back at 11:42, chipping. He'd flown from the birch area. NC0 had been on alert beforehand, scanning the sky
No threat seen. Laddie stayed on the nest
He began chipping again and headed off around 10 minutes after arriving
Distant chipping and alarm calling could be heard
Will do another catch up later this afternoon (I know the cam had zoomed in on NC0) BBL
The cam only zoomed in on NC0 for a short while at 12:17 - here's a token pic as she didn't do much
13:25 NC0 went off for a comfort break
Cam zoomed in
Both Laddie and NC0 arrived on the nest. Laddie made his way to the nest cup
His left foot touched the right egg slightly as he made his way to the nest cup
NC0 did a couple of crop drops
NC0 looked skyward...
...then headed off
She landed on the birch
TBC
Cont'd...
NC0 returned at 13:40 and kept Laddie company for 8 minutes or so before heading back to the birch
She came back again at 14:13 with a stick
Laddie flew off. NC0 took over incubation
There has been a very persistent, unringed intruder this afternoon!
15:23ish
NC0 bravely defended and flapped it away after a brief touchdown
Heading down to the nest...
But then hovered above
Before coming back down again
Onto the edge of the nest
Fantastic defending, NC0!
It came back into view then over the nest again
It landed on the perch
It flew off and headed left
Edited in: NC0 remained in her position. There was a landing on her branch of the birch
Cont'd
At 15:47, the bird (intruder?) left the birch and headed directly right until out of view
NC0 was still very wary and watching over to the right
Chipping heard
Laddie arrived
He continued to chip
The unringed intruder was back and landed on the perch
NC0 looked
Laddie tolerated the intruder no more and gave chase
Laddie top of pic
Intruder hightlighted
They headed out of view
Either Laddie or the intruder flew directly to the right until out of view
Laddie could be heard chipping
Laddie came back, still chipping
Laddie lay down next to NC0 - the first time I've ever seen him do that!
He began to chip again
Laddie stood up and alarm called/chipped as the intruder got close to the nest (unseen)
Intruder flying over the birch area
It the flew over the Loch on the right. Laddie chipped again
The intruder flew unseen over the nest. Laddie raised his wings
A wing did come into view but I could capture the screenshot
Laddie continued to chip
Laddie looked around, being very calm
Laddie flew off at 16:03
16:20 NC0 was fish calling! Give Laddie a chance NC0, he's been rather busy!
NC0 went for a comfort break at 17:55
And returned about a minute later
NC0 has remained incubating since then. Laddie hasn't been back to the nest as yet
20:35 NC0 at present (I've finally caught up! lol)
21:35 It's peaceful at the Loch after a very busy mid-afternoon for both NC0 and Laddie
Morning All
No visit from Laddie so far
7:22 NC0 went for a comfort break
7:45 She's fish calling