Continued from May 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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Two healthy chicks hatched successfully from eggs two and three. The first egg laid was non-viable and, hopefully, it will be able to be retrieved from the nest, at the time of ringing, as to ascertain the reason why.
During the middle of May, Laddie sustained an injury to his flank and NC0 was without a meal for 87 hours due to him not being able to hunt. It was pure relief when he finally arrived with a fish, at a critical time too as the first chick had just hatched. Laddie excelled himself on the evening of the 25th, bringing in an absolute whopper of a fish which fed both chicks and adults multiple times throughout the evening, during the night and well into the next morning.
The end of the month saw some 'difficult' behaviour from #1 on its younger sibling, not only restricted to mealtimes either. With longer gaps, on occasion, between fish being brought to the nest by Laddie (probably due to his defence of the nest and area from intruders, of which there had been many last month), #2 has been the subject of dominance and aggression. We can only hope this begins to lessen in the coming days and weeks.
NC0 has been doing a sterling job with feeding both chicks ensuring, as much as possible, that the youngest receives its fair share as well. She has also shown great maturity when defending the chicks and nest from intruders too - she is definitely a force to be reckoned with!
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*
Ringed 22.6.23: Chick #1 - PF4(F) 1.85kg Chick #2 - PF5(M) 1.2kg *Egg #1 retrieved for analysis*
Link to blogs and updates during March/April, May
June Blogs and Updates (published dates)
2.6.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 11
9.6.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 12
20.6.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 13
24.6.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 14 (The Ringing of the Chicks)
Morning Karen and All,
You're very welcome.
8:18 Still waiting for an appearance from Laddie this morning
©SWT/LotL
A headless fish delivery at 10:00
Fish in NC0's left talons as she moved it
The usual happened
#2 in submission as #1 received its first piece of fish
NC0 swallowed the fish tail at 10:14 - no feed for #2
10:19 Intruder around - NC0 silently flapped her wings
She chipped
Judging by NC0's stare, I think she meant business!
She chipped again
More flapping and chipping
#1 decided to show dominance on #2
She chipped and made high-pitched defence calls. #2 in submission
Threat over. #2 moved itself close to NC0
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Catch up:
There was another fish from Laddie at 12:03
Cam zoomed in as Laddie flew off
#2 was able to get about 4 or 5 pieces of fish, from 12:21 after #1 had moved away, and it had turned from a submissive position (it had been warned off beforehand)
#1 had taken shade under NC0
NC0 with the fish tail at 12:23, #2 with fish in its beak
A piece from tidy up was given to #2
Dominance shown again as the cam panned out
12:48 Cam zoomed in when NC0 went off for a break
NC0 returned with a long, twiggy stick, #2 was startled here on her approach close to the nest before landing
15:24 Intruder around - NC0 shouting and flapping her wings
Intruder flew over the nest, it headed left, out of cam view. NC0 very much distressed!
A flight over the Loch but unsure who
Laddie to the nest with fish, chipping
Cam zoomed in
Cam panned out
Blue blue ring, left leg intruder hovered above the nest
Laddie slipped on the front edge of the nest ...
...but managed to save himself from falling and flapped back on
After a few chips, he flew off from the nest
NC0 looked around for a little while before beginning a feed
#2 directly in front of her, #1 on the left
NC0's body movements suggested that #2 received at least a couple of bites
Then #1 forced #2 away
#1 receiving its fish
15:37 Unsure who NC0 was feeding here as she had blocked the view
15:40
#2's head showing, left of NC0
NC0 with the fish tail
#2 on the left as NC0 tidied up
#2 moved itself away
It was food begging