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

  • Catch up (part 2)

    Laddie arrived at 14:58 with a headless fish, attached skin was dangling from it

    Both chicks were ready for another feed, #2 received this piece

    Cam zoomed in

    NC0 altered her position

    Laddie left at 15:03

    The fish was all gone at 15:17 after NC0 had swallowed the fish skin

    15:30

    17:45 Laddie to the nest to defend - an unseen intruder flew over

    Flying off over the Loch

    It made its approach again

    The blue ringed, left leg, intruder almost landed on the nest

    Pic cropped and sharpened. The ring (reading from the ankle upwards) begins with an L? Could it be LR2???? Thinking  Oh I so wish it could be...

    Laddie was riled!

    He gave chase

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A very large fish delivery from Laddie at 21:29. In her excitement of the expected meal, NC0's talons accidentally knocked/trod on chick #2

    Her talons knocked into #2 again, pushing it over

    Laddie looking on before leaving at 21:32 - the feed was well underway. I noticed he had a loose, right wing feather sticking out

    ©SWT/LotL

  • The cam eventually zoomed in on the feed at 21:35 (zoom person still getting the pic adjusted). #2 received this piece

    Laddie arrived back

    21:45

    #1 turned away

    NC0 finished the feed at 21:51 and began to tidy up

    Laddie was quick to notice and headed towards collecting his supper

    Off he went (apologies for the evening blurred pic)

    Laddie didn't return with the fish. Will he save some for an early breakfish for his family in the morning?

    NC0 settled at 22:50, just before night cam came on

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Morning All,

    Laddie did indeed bring in his family's breakfish, at 3:55

    Laddie had a full crop

    The feed commenced; #2 received many bites...

    ...before #1 joined in

    The feed ended at 4:08 - still plenty of fish remained

    Laddie to the nest at 5:00, he saw the fish and dragged it to the edge. NC0 vocalised!

    Up she got to take the fish back

    Another feed began

    Off he went again

    There was still a small piece of fish remaining when the feed ended at 5:10

    It was hidden by to the right of NC0's talons as she settled to brood

    She went back to the fish at 6:10

    A top up

    NC0 finished off the fish at 6:17

      

    NC0, at present, 9:14

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 10:04 NC0 returned from a comfort break with a long, twiggy stick

    Watch out below!

    Moving it off from the chicks

    She placed it on the right side of the nest

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Some zoomed in captures from 11:34 - NC0 was on the nest with the chicks

    #1 nearest to the cam

    Some aggression was shown to #2 after this pic

    A brief lull in between NC0 preening herself; #1 was preening itself

    NC0 wing stretch

    Prior to the cam panning back out at 11:50

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Some good captures of the reptilian duo, thanks Sandra!
  • It doesn't take long for them to reach this stage! lol
    You're very welcome, Wendy Grinning
  • There was a small, headless fish delivery at 13:28ish

    Aggression shown by #1

    Laddie off

    #2 finally joined in

    #2 received a good number of pieces before NC0 offered #1 again

    More for #2

    More aggression from #1 very close to the end of te feed

    NC0 swallowing the fish tail at 13:35

    NC0 called for more fish

    Behave #1

    13:43

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Sandra, that was very exciting, the intruder yesterday. I tried to zoom in with my magnifier and these were my best attempts.