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

  • At 19:02, #1 had turned away from the feed (which NC0 had done quite fairly IMO)

    NC0 walked away from the fish

    NC0 tidied up and offered #2 a dropped remnant or two

    She altered the position fo a stick before settling to brood at 19:04

    No sooner had the cam panned out, NC0 began to call - a flight from Laddie came into view and he arrived on the nest to retrieve the fish. I wonder if he had been watching the feed from above the cam?

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie returned the fish at 20:45 (NC0's feathers were wet as it had been raining)

    Both chicks up for a another feed - #1 first to receive a bite

    Then #2 as the cam zoomed in

    And another

    Laddie repositioned a stick; NC0 continued to feed

    Thanks Laddie! lol

    Laddie flew off from the nest at 20:50

    He went out of view after this

    NC0 continued to feed both chicks

    The feed ended at 20:55 when NC0 walked away from the fish

    Two little bottoms in view as she settled to brood

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie didn't come back to the nest so he must have headed off to roost at 20:50

    NC0 at 22:23 - the fish was still in the same position where she had left it

    Night cam came on at 22:15

    ©SWT/LotL

  • scylla said:

    You're too quick, Sandra - I did a new and improved version - it needs more bits added but... *yawn*.  (Say nothing, y'all!)

    Awww, sorry... DisappointedKissing heart 

  • Unknown said:

    Wonderful captures once again Sandra. many  thanks

    You are more than welcome, Cirrus!

  • WendyBartter said:

    Lovely pics of the littl'uns!

    This is my favourite

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

    I loved that pic too, Wendy! Hugging

  • Glider said:
    Great start to the morning, thanks Sandra. Have a nice day.

    A pleasure, Glider. Thank you, and I did Slight smile

  • Morning All,

    From early this morning:

    NC0 ate something for herself from the remainder of the fish at 4:12ish - neither chick approached her for a feed

    Both could be seen with fine crops as NC0 discarded the fish and settled to brood

    At 5:14, Laddie came to the nest. NC0 vocalised (in my mind) "Stay away from the fish!"

    She went off for a comfort break - had Laddie spied the fish?

    Yes, of course! lol He wandered over to it

    He had a bite before flying off with it

    You can see the size of #1's crop here

    NC0 came back shortly afterwards and settled on her growing chicks

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie came back at 6:45 having eaten the tail end of the fish. NC0 called for a fresh one

    After spending his time resting, he headed off at 6:53

    NC0 was excitedly calling at 9:34 but Laddie only brought a clump of grass

    He did look wet and shook his tail feathers. I wonder if he'd had an unsuccessful fishing trip?

    He flew off at 9:37 - NC0 was still calling for fish

    NC0 repositioned Laddie's latest addition to the nest

    NC0 at present, 10:16

    ©SWT/LotL