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)
Cont'd from 18:01...
By 18:16, #2 had managed to walk around the back, outside edge of the nest to end up close to NC0 on the right. Fish offered and accepted! Well done, #2!
NC0 did some dual feeding
18:18 NC0 went into defence mode, shouting and flapping her wings...Laddie immediately to the nest chipping and alarm calling!
#2 joined in with the shouting too but it wanted its fish! lol
Laddie off to defend at 18:22
NC0 continued to feed #2, it was by her beak and in front of #1
A fantastic private feed for #2! NC0 swallowed the fish tail and began to tidy up at 18:36
©SWT/LotL
Richard B
Unknown said:No 2 slowly worked it's way round to the other side of NCO then started to get a feed. Both chicks getting fed at the same time. Laddie came in chipping so an intruder about. No 1 lays low and NCO carries on feeding No 2 after laddie leaves. Feed all over and another massive crop for No 2
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Many thanks for your perfect synopsis, Richard, I didn't see your post prior to continuing with events after the delivery
Morning All, Laddie delivered a small headless fish at 5:22
#2 remained on the left side while NC0 fed #1
#2 moved to the front left
Did a PS (its crop could be seen, still a good size)
A look from #1 made it scuttle to the left edge
#2 waited before making its move to be closer to NC0
Then changed its mind and turned back
The fish was all gone at 5:30, #2 headed back towards NC0. NC0 called for more
This from 6:50: #2 on the left, #1 had just done a PS, no dominance at all
8:00 NC0 was quiet, she had been calling. Hopefully, Laddie's away fishing
Off to work. BFN
Laddie delivered the next fish at 10:43, much bigger this time
Both he and NC0 went into defence mode
NC0 moved to the back of the nest with the fish
Laddie flew off
#1 stood up to #2 to showdominance
At 11:01, when #2 had managed to get close to NC0 at the back of the nest, NC0 had to go into defending mode again, the young one turned
With NC0 still defending, #2 moved itself around even further
11:09 A piece offered to #2
#1 showed dominance again, #2 turned to eat its chunk given, on the front edge of the nest. NC0 was on alert as the unseen intruder seemed to still be around
11:18 #2 had joined NC0 but am unsure of it had anymore fish (will check again later for confirmation due to my lunch-time restraints)
BFN
Re my last post/comment: No, the fish was all gone by the time #2 had wandered over to NC0, she was calling for more fish.
Another fish from Laddie at 12:15
#1 being fed again
It had wandered around the outside edge to be close to NC0 at 12:21
After a couple more pieces were offered to #1, #2 received a private feeding
A couple of additional pieces were also given to #1 before NC0 gave #2 what appeared to be the fish tail (and an odd morsel from tidy up) at 12:23
Yet another delivery from Laddie at 13:15
#1 was first to be fed again
#2 evenutally sidled up to NC0. First piece offered at 13:18
Then into a private feed
The cam zoomed in at 13:25 to show #2 well into enjoying its meal
NC0 was calling for more fish at 13:28
#2 had a lovely, full crop!
Seen here also at 13:43 while it was resting