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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

  • NC0 went for a comfort break at 20:39 - cam zoomed in

    The sun highlighting #1's eyes

    NC0 landed

    She changed her position

    The cam panned out after that pic at 20:47

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie with a HUGE, headless fish at 20:53

    Cam zoomed in

    Laddie left

    I think that's got to be the largest, headless fish of the season so far - gosh, I'm so proud of Laddie! Hugging

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Some more random pics of the feed...

    Both patiently waiting for their next offering

    Further on...chick 2 received this one

    Laddie arrived back to the nest at 21:06

    #1 turned away with its crop extremely full

    #2 then turned away as well - its crop was very full too!

    NC0 released her grip of the fish at 21:10

    Laddie quickly walked around the front and right edge of the nest to collect the fish. NC0 didn't make any complaints at all!

    Enjoy your supper, Laddie!

    TBC

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Excellent Laddie, well done. Your family is thriving. Blush
  • Laddie could be seen flying over the Loch as NC0 tidied up the nest cup. She took this piece of fish away with her when going on an immediate comfort break

    Two very contented, 'chupping' chicks Heart eyes

    Back to brood her beautiful chicks

    Brooding at 21:13

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie did not come back to the nest. NC0 with her head down, pre night cam, at 22:42

    Her head still down at 22:53 - sleep well little family Zzz

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Morning All,

    Laddie redelivered yesterday evening's fish at 3:50

    A second feed at 4:46

    Feed #3 at 5:33

    6:21 Laddie came to the nest. He attempted to take the remaining fish away but NC0 was up pretty quick to grab it back

    Both chicks were topped up again

    There was only a small end of the fish tail remaining as NC0 settled to brood at 6:29

    Laddie to the nest at 7:07, NC0 had just stood up to tackle the end of the fish

    She swallowed the fish tail at 7:12

    NC0 went on a comfort break at 7:46

    Laddie to the nest - a loose feather?

    NC0 returned and asked for more fish

    Off he went at 7:54

    NC0 at present, 8:00

    Off to work shortly, BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Morning Sandra and thanks for all the updates. Great to see all being as it should be here :-)
  • My pleasure, Karen. I'm keeping everything crossed!

    Laddie managed to have his breakfish as he delivered a headless fish at 9:17

    Both chicks were up for another feed

    The remainder of the fish was flicked from NC0's talons and it landed on the left edge sticks at 9:35

    NC0 retrieved it at 10:25

    The chicks were not really interested - #1 being almost force fed this piece

    #2 didn't accept this piece

    Laddie to the nest at 10:35, chipping

    Both on alert

    More chipping

    No threat seen. NC0 swallowed the fish tail

    He headed off after a couple more chipping calls

    More catch up later. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • The second fish of the day came at 15:42 - another headless one from Laddie

    Cam zoomed in - #1 on the right

    Laddie left the nest

    NC0 was, quite literally, speed feeding!

    The chicks' crops at 15:50 

    16:00

    16:05 NC0 made quiet, short calls to the resting chicks when offering fish in her beak - no takers

    Beak testing #2 at 16:14 - not taken

    Laddie then arrived - he chipped on landing

    Both on alert

    NC0 was still trying to offer more fish, short calls made by her

    Laddie chipped

    More chipping from Laddie

    Off he went

    #1 had moved from its position on the right, turned and accepted more bites that were offered at 16:22

    At 16:23, NC0 released her grip of the remaining fish, removed a pine cone from the nest cup and settled to brood

    ©SWT/LotL