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

  • Morning All,

    7:15 NC0 and the chicks waiting for breakfish. #2, left, still sporting a good-sized crop as it preened; #1 in front of its mum

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 7:48 Lovely scene

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A small fish from Laddie at 7:57 (perch?)

    #1 showed aggression again

    Edit: Fish was all gone, 8:10 - nothing for #2

    I have to go for a little while. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A headless fish delivered by Laddie at 10:40

    Initially, #2 received about 4 bites before #1 started again - that occurred as NC0 paused the feed to watch Laddie as he flew off

    #1 looked at #2, head down, perhaps it knew what was going to happen?

    #2 in submission

    Cam zoomed in at 10:50, #1 was refusing some fish

    #2 stood up, accepted this bite

    After a couple more pieces eaten by #2, #1 turned

    #2 was quick to turn away from the incoming beak of #1

    #1 refusing fish offered

    10:53 #2 up to receive some fish (of which there wasn't much left). It had a private feeding of chunks of white flesh

    It did have some here

    NC0 gave #2 a chunk

    It turned itself round

    It had a good go at trying to swallow it. As #2 turned its head slightly, the fish tail could be seen

    Cam panned out at that point, 10:55

    #2 dropped it onto the nest where NC0 picked it up and fed it the remaining flesh

    NC0 swallowing the fish tail

    She had a small piece of flesh left in her talons and fed that to #2 as well as anything from the tidy up

    Feed over at 10:57.

    NC0 called for more fish

    * To note, I did not show pics of all of the fish that #2 received during the feed

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 12:00 At present, NC0 is calling for more fish

    BBL

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A friendly feed in progress at present after Laddie delivered another headless fish at 14:08 - #2 did very well!!

    14:16

    14:18 NC0 swallowed the fish tail

    A good-sized crop on #2 who was sporting a feather cap! lol

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 15:56 NC0 alarm calling and flapping her wings

    Was this Laddie to help defend?

    No it was not, judging by NC0's reactions! She postured

    She flapped her wings at the Osprey

    She postured again

    It chipped

    It chipped again

    Before flying off

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Another intruder alert at 17:38, Laddie to the nest

    He chipped and NC0 called for fish, just as she had been doing before Laddie arrived

    Both looked skyward

    More chipping from Laddie

    NC0 then became defensive

    Laddie then turned and flapped his wings, alarm calling this time

    NC0 flapped her wings

    Laddie flew off at 17:40

    ©SWT/LotL

  • My the kids are growing up fast!

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.