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)
Laddie delivered a live fish at 8:58
©SWT/LotL
#2 remained lying down during the first part of the feed, #1 was ready for a top up straight away.
9:05 #2 standing in front of NC0 ready to join in
NC0 feeding it here
She was fair with the feed, offering #1 some pieces in between giving to #2
#1 stood up to do a PS, #2 moved over to the left but still in front of NC0
NC0 feeding #2
And #1
9:11 #1 moved close to NC0 to seek some shade
Fish all gone, NC0 called for more
Once again, another aggression-free feed!
9:36 More fish calling from NC0
Laddie's on a roll! 3rd fish of the morning arrived at 10:03 - the second live one
Feeding #1
#2 got up after a little while
More for #1, #2 had done a couple of crop drops, making more room perhaps!
"Yes please, mum!"
10:12
10:14 #1 had moved to the right side of the nest, NC0 continuing to feed #2
10:18 #2 had moved to do a PS then continued to take more pieces of fish
10:27 #2 had retreated under NC0; #1, who had accepted some more fish, waddled over to the back of the nest. Only a small piece of fish remained
Fish all gone at 10:30
Just wonderful to watch another very happy feed!
Oh you are very welcome, Karen, it's made my day!
Fish number 4 (headless), 12:04. Well done, Laddie!
Excited squeals from NC0 as she took hole of the fish
I'll finish my report later. Visitors have arrived.
Cont'd...
Both Laddie and NC0 were watchful, he did chip a couple of times after arriving
He cleaned his beak, good to know that he had eaten for himself
NC0 fed a piece of fish to #1, #2 was still resting
Laddie flew off
12:08 #2 stood up
But moved away after NC0 offered it fish
It decided to take up NC0's offer at 12:10
There was no stopping it after that and NC0 continued with a private feeding
12:16 NC0 was eating for herself
12:18 #2 shuffled its way to the front of the nest from under NC0, she continued to feed herself
NC0 swallowed the fish tail at 12:20. Both chicks had fabulous crops
A perfect scene at present, 14:40
There haven't been any more fish deliveries