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)
NC0 with a large, twiggy stick
10:03 Both chicks checking out the beautiful view
10:10
©SWT/LotL
NC0 was defending against an unseen intruder at 11:14ish
Chipping and flapping her wings
A shadow cast over the nest from the intruder, she stumbled after it flew, unseen, overhead
There was a brief lull in proceedings
Then NC0 began to flap and chip again
Threat completely over at 11:20
NC0 fish calling, 12:05
I have to pop off for a little while. BFN
No fish was forthcoming
NC0 was in defence mode again at 12:45
Flapping and shouting
She moved forward
Intruder
Flying off, top of pic
Laddie to the nest
He chipped
NC0 continued to vocalise
Laddie chipped as well
Laddie flew off at 12:49
All has appeared fine since that event.
NC0 preening; chicks resting, at 13:20
Fish delivery from Laddie at 15:08
#1 approached to attempt a nibble of it
#2, hidden, was fed a good few number of pieces
The #1 joined in
NC0 was dual feeding, then #1 took offence and stood tall towards #2 - NO physical aggression
#1 received more fish
A piece for #2 after #1 had eaten quite a lot
Back to #1 with occasional pieces offered to #1
NC0 was down to the fish tail
She gave it to #2
#1 stood up
And showed aggression
NC0 tidied up
NC0 called for more fish at 15:18
15:20 #1 with feather bling
#2 soon joined its sibling but was asking for fish
16:28 NC0 having to defend again, flapping and shouting. Chipping could be heard
Calm but alert at 16:31
16:33 Preening herself, threat over
There was a fish delivery at 20:30 - good grief, was it a goldfish??!!
#2 on NC0's right. #1 was under her bottom
TBC for the feed
Richard B
Sandra P said:
good grief, was it a goldfish??!!
Certainly looked like it Sandra ... one for Richard methinks!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
A choice of 2 fish really, a Goldfish as already stated or a Golden Orfe.
The Golden Orfe is found in the wild