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

  • Laddie was back at 8:08 and made an attempt to take the fish - NC0 vocalised

    She rose to take the fish from him

    Laddie began to chip

    Laddie headed off

    NC0 fed the chicks

    Feed over at 8:18

    Laddie returned at 8:29 and took the fish off to have his breakfish

    Will do another catch up a bit later. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie returned with the fish at 9:40

    NC0 completed another feed which, for the most part, was blocked by Laddie!

    The chicks had already turned away by the time NC0 stepped away from the fish at 9:48, after eating a few more bits for herself, of course

    NC0 commenced another feed at 10:50 - neither chick appeared to be overly hungry and but did take a few bites

    She did ensure the chicks were full by testing their beaks before brooding at 11:02

    At 11:52, NC0 attempted another feed. Although both chicks did rouse for it initially, they appeared not to want much at all. NC0 ate for herself.

    Aww, look at #2 all curled up!

    NC0 tried again at 12:07 - a little bit more success this time when the chicks took some of the fish that was offered

    NC0 left the fish close to the nest cup a she headed off for a comfort break at 12:13

    NC0 moved the grass from the nest cup before brooding

    TBC

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 was almost force feeding the chicks at 12:48, bless her! lol

    She made a few what sounded like human intruder alarm calls at 12:57

    She also looked skyward on a few occasions

    All appeared ok as she discarded the remaining fish tail (from her left talons) and settled to brood - though still being wary

    More, what sounded like, human alarm calls? at 13:11

    She was quite unsettled - I wonder what was bothering her?

    NC0 appeared to be much more relaxed at 13:27ish

    14:10 Another feed for the chicks from some of the remaining fish

    No takers here

    "Oh, alright mum!"

    After offering more, and neither chick interested, NC0 flicked the small, remaining end of the fish onto the sticks at the back of the nest

    More to follow...

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie came to the nest at 14:55 and found the end of the fish. He began to eat

    NC0 was soon up, vocalising!

    She took it from him

    Off he went

    There wasn't much interest from the chicks with eating initially

    Eventually, #2 agreed to take some more

    Then, after #2 had turned away (look at its crop!), #1 took some more bites

    Laddie was on the nest at 15:00 when NC0 finally swallowed the fish tail from this morning's 7:34 fish

    NC0 swallowing it here

    Laddie did a crop drop...

    ...made a couple of contact calls before he flew off from the nest at 15:25 - NC0 was calling for more fish

    NC0 remained brooding the chicks - Laddie didn't return.

    17:35 After giving the chicks some fresh air, she preened and then headed off for a comfort break

    Just perfect!

    More preening before settling to brood at 17:42

    NC0 currently at 18:30

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie flew from beyond the birch to deliver a small, whole fish at 18:40

    Both chicks were up and ready for another feed. Pleased to see that Laddie had a full crop so must have eaten a meal before catching this one for his family

    #2 was fish begging as this piece went to #1

    Laddie left the nest just before 18:42

    After a few more bites for #1, #2 finally got its first piece from this feed

    And another (it continued along with #1 being fed too)

    18:50 #2 turned away from the feed

    #1, whose crop was huge, still accepted more from NC0

    At 18:52, #1 turned away (its crop resting over #2's head). NC0 had a couple more bites for herself before releasing her grip on the remainder to settle on the chicks

    19:25 NC0 spied the tail end of the fish and dragged it from its position

    She stood up and took it to the left edge of the nest

    More for #2

    #1 stood up but only to do a PS - it crop was very full

    NC0 continued with #2's private feeding

    She swallowed the fish tail at 19:31

    Gosh, they've eaten well today!

    NC0 went off for a comfort break at 20:06, she had been fish calling prior to leaving. #1 on the right

    She called for fish again

    Then settled on the chicks

    21:02 NC0, at present, quietly brooding

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 22:07 Peek-a-boo!

    22:36 Bless her...

    22:41 Night cam came on

    A quick comfort break at 23:15

    She wasn't gone for long at all

    23:17 Rest well NC0 and little ones, see you in the morning

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Morning All
    A great start to a beautiful morning at Lowes - a large, headless fish delivered at 6:36

    #1 received the first bite

    Then #2

    Two fully satisfied chicks when NC0 stepped away from the fish at 6:49

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Good morning.

    I took it into my head to do a little vid of early morning flyabouts - the gaps have been shortened (and I haven't put a caption on to that effect, therefore the vid is Unlisted so's not to mislead YT watchers).

  • Hi Scylla,

    Aww, thanks for the vid! Kissing heart

  • 7:33 Laddie to the nest to collect the fish, NC0 on alert

    Laddie chipped

    Flapped his wings

    Knowing Laddie had any possible threat covered, NC0 rose from the chicks to take the fish from Laddie

    #2 received some fish

    #1

    The feed continued. Laddie flew off at 7:39

    Feed over at 7:41, I think the chicks had eaten enough! NC0 walked away from the fish

    8:04 NC0 brooding, fish remains on the nest

    BFN

    ©SWT/LotL