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*
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
Both chicks still had good-sized crops before this feed commenced
First bite to #2
#1
Both together! lol (#2 did manage to take it)
21:34 Chicks looking on as NC0 ate for herself
#1 turned away
Then turned back round
Just after that, NC0 altered her position
She tested #2's beak, it didn't take this piece
But accepted this bit
Another from fish that had dropped into the nest cup that NC0 retrieved
21:38 Feed over
Well done, NC0!
©SWT/LotL
Laddie arrived on the nest at 22:00 - NC0 was making short calls...warning him off from taking the remainder of the fish perhaps?
Looking for the fish?
He headed off at 22:15 - empty taloned
He dipped his talons in the Loch
He headed off around the birch corner
NC0 went for a comfort break at 22:30, the cam zoomed in on the chicks
A PS from #1
That's better! #2 could be seen using the remainder of the fish as a pillow
NC0 returned
Tucking in
She moved the fish
The cam panned out
She ate some fish
She finished eating and headed to the chicks
#2 was peeking out
Fully tucked in at 22:35
Night, night NC0, chicks and Laddie, wherever you are roosting
Morning All,
NC0 approached the remainder of the fish at 2:57, #2 was accepted more to eat
She swallowed the fish tail during this session
Laddie excelled himself again by delivering a large, whole fish at 5:51
6:07 NC0 walked away from the fish - both chicks full
Laddie collected the fish at 6:24
7:30 NC0 calling
Laddie redelivered the fish at 7:37
#2 being fed
At present (7:49), #1 is getting a top-up
7:51 NC0 had ended the feed and settled to brood. Fish on the left side
7:54 NC0 at present
BFN
NC0 began another feed at 8:28 - #2 was sleeping initially but did eventually join in
8:39 Feed over, NC0 flicked the remainder of the fish onto the back, left side of the nest
Laddie came to the nest at 9:01 to collect the fish. NC0 had been on a comfort break and had just returned in this pic
A second breakfish for himself
Laddie was back at 11:32ish, intruder chipping
#1 was having a not very nice 'disagreement' with #2
Laddie left at 11:35ish
12:43 NC0 chipped/ alarmed called then defended, a shadow could be seen on the nest as an intruder passed over
Any threat soon passed
NC0 at present 13:23 (there's a little peeker! lol)
As far as I can tell, nothing eventful as happened at since my last post - NC0 spending a lot of time off the chicks and chilling out.
Cam zoomed in between 14:20 - 15:13
#1 preening
#1 preening again
NC0 had gone on a comfort break
I've omitted any aggression given by #1 to #2
There was another large, whole fish delivery from Laddie at 16:48
First bite for #2
Laddie leaving
The size of their crops close to the end of their feed!
17:35 Laddie had arrived on the nest at 17:28. NC0 swallowing the fish tail
Cont'd...
17:43
NC0 was looking skyward
Laddie began a series of short vocals
Both tracking something
More short calls from Laddie
Laddie rested his eyes briefly
Preening
NC0 went for a comfort break at 18:00ish
As the cam zoomed in, a crow? was heard, Laddie made a few short calls again
NC0 came back
#2 seemed to have something stuck in its throat and made some high-pitched squeaks (similar to sneezes). NC0 took a closer look
Pellet?
Panic over!
Laddie flew off at 18:06
The cam panned out at 18:12
Laddie hasn't returned to the nest since then.
NC0 quietly brooding at 20:38