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)
Richard B
Unknown said:Small fish at 1435, but a bit bigger than the tiddlers so maybe something for No2 if lucky.
As you said, Richard, it was a bit bigger
Another fish at 16:00
#1 had already been given some of the fish when it showed dominance to #2
#2 on the back left of the nest
16:12 It had made its way to the right side
NC0 calling for more at 16:14 - #2 still on the right of the nest
©SWT/LotL
Between 16:43 - 16:48, NC0 had to defend against an unseen intruder
She relaxed after a minute or two
Whoever it was came back. A shadow of the intruder flying around was cast on the trees behind the nest (not shown in the pics)
NC0 had calmed down at 16:48, hopefully the intruder has got the message!
LotL Fb
Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Week 12 (inclusive of 4 videos)
Because the site is running on less than slow, I'll add these observation here!
17:14 NC0 looked over to the right, made a few short human intruder alarm calls and flew off the nest
She returned 2 minutes later
At 17:21 and 17:24 NC0 made chipping calls
NC0 had to deal with yet another unseen intruder at 17:39
A live fish delivery from Laddie at 18:45 - #2 had already turned itself away
Chipping could be heard after Laddie had flown away
Apart from NC0 taking the odd morsel for herself, #1 was fed all of the fish
NC0 called for more at 18:51
Scene at present, 20:22
22:22 A headless fish from Laddie
He flew off
At 22:37, #2 finally managed to get to the back left of the nest. It quickly snatched 2 pieces of fish from NC0 before #1 warned it off
It went back for more when #1 had turned, this was the first of two that it ate
NC0 fed #1 a piece while #2 was trying to tackle a long piece of fish skin that she had given it (that was still attached to the fish, unfortunately)
#1 then showed aggression, forcing #2 to the front edge of the nest
It did eventually get brave enough to turn and reach up to get a piece of fish from NC0
#1 took a dislike to that
#2 made its way to the right side of the nest
#1 was about to launch more domination when NC0 used great tactics to offer it a piece of fish
This gave #2 the opportunity to get to NC0's left side and out of the way
#2 turned and at 22:45, its private feed began
This continued (tiny morsels offered in the main - I counted at least 25) until 22:55 when NC0 gave #2 the fish tail, which it swallowed!
There was some white flesh attached to the tail as well
#2 backed up to the edge to do a PS
A little stumble on the sticks
#2 didn't have a huge crop but it did have fish in it at least!
#2 was asking for more fish
Safely back under NC0 at 23:05
Morning Freebird66 and All,
NC0 will feed an open beak and #2 is being kept away from getting too close to her by #1. During its private feed last night, NC0 had to tackle through a lot of fish skin to give #2 small morsels of fish. Also, with the small fish Laddie has been bringing to the nest, that doesn't help the situation, unfortunately.
Laddie brought another small fish at 8:39, #1 had already stood up tall to its sibling while NC0 was preparing for the meal to be delivered
#2 made its way to the back left of the nest
#2 had made its way to the front of the nest
Fish all gone at 8:46
NC0 has called for more fish, still doing so at 9:03
Come on Laddie, bigger fish for your family please!
9:22 Edit: I'm out for the day, hopefully Laddie will come up with the goods and that any intruders stay away! BFN