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

  • 16:24 A private feeding session at present, #1 had lay down

    16:26

    16:30 Keep going NC0!

    BBS

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie arrived at 16:32

    He left

    16:39

    16:48

    16:50 Up for some more

    NC0 had tested #2's beak, not taken

    16:53

    #2 did turn back and accepted a couple more morsels.

    16:56 NC0 still trying to encourage more feeding

    16:58 Laddie to the nest - look at the chicks!

    17:00

    I must prep my dinner. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • As long as Laddie keeps the fish coming then No 2 will get food. It's well fed for now.

    Richard B

  • Unknown said:
    As long as Laddie keeps the fish coming then No 2 will get food. It's well fed for now.

    Yes Richard, Laddie is the key. As long as there is enough fish provided #2 should be alright. 

  • Yes, I agree, Richard. 

    Laddie left the nest at 17:04, NC0 still had a remainder of the fish gripped in her left talons

    NC0 resumed feeding #2 who was ready to take more

    17:17 More offered to #1

    17:28 #2 was offered more as well

    Laddie was back at 17:46, he nattered to her, perhaps asking where the rest of the fish was. NC0 had still been encouraging the chicks to eat more

    NC0 resting her eyes

    Laddie flew off 4 minutes after arriving

    Laddie was back again at 18:28, making soft contact calls once more. NC0 had not very long finished the last bit of fish, she was cleaning her beak

    Laddie looked to see if there was anything for him to eat; NC0 asked for more fish!

    He flew off at 18:31

    NC0 resting with her chicks at 19:03

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 20:25 #2 in front of NC0

    Laddie hasn't been back to the nest, I hope he's enjoying a fish supper somewhere

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie with another late evening fish, 22:08. It was headless. No aggression shown to #2 throughout!

    Good to see that Laddie had eaten well

    Laddie flying around the birch corner

    22:16 #1 continued to receive its fish. The cam zoomed in

    #2 yawning

    Cam panned out

    #2 got up to receive some fish

    It did received more pieces before moving its position slightly

    NC0 offered #2 the fish tail

    But she took it back to take some more flesh from it

    #1 did get an occasional piece too

    #2 then accepted some fish skin

    It couldn't manage that so NC0 took it back and then reoffered

    Skin hanging from #2's beak as NC0 gave it a piece of fish

    Feed over, fish all gone, at 22:21. #2 still had the fish skin in its beak

    NC0 settled to brood at 22:23. The piece of skin was still in #2's beak as she settled

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 was still in the same position when night cam came on at 22:47

    ©SWT/LotL