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's just delivered another fish, 17:17
After initially feeding #1, #2 made its way round to NC0 to participate in the feed
Fish was all gone at 17:30
©SWT/LotL
Richard B
18:35 NC0 making sure #2 could manage to swallow the fish tail - which it did after a couple of attempts!
Look at that crop, superb!
Fish #7 came at 19:10. NC0 had been sitting above the cam beforehand and came down to the nest for the anticipated delivery
Laddie had to shake his leg a few times to release the fish from his talons- NC0 may have had hold of his foot
The chicks did not get up. #2 directly in front of her
19:14 #1 had moved closer to the back of the nest, #2 lying down in front of NC0 with an outstretched leg and wing. She was quietly looking around
I couldn't see or hear anything untoward as to why NC0 hadn't begun to tuck in to the fish
NC0 began to tackle the fish at 20:16, #2 was up for some more!
#1 did not get up for this feed and the fish was shared between NC0 and #2, All gone at 19:30
NC0 tidying up here
NC0 went off for a comfort break at 20:47 and landed above the cam a minute or so later
21:05 #2 stood up to do a PS
An overhead wing stretch followed
A look around
Then settled back down to rest
Chicks are still alone on the nest at 21:27, NC0 still above the cam (she made a couple of calls at 21:24)
NC0 rejoined the chicks at 22:20
00:05 Sleeping tucked in and not brooding the chicks
00:09 NC0 popped off for a very quick comfort break and returned to the nest perch
Morning All,
There was a headless fish delivery at 5:20ish
#2 on the left, close to NC0
It wandered around the outside edge to the right side
1 piece of fish snatched
Up to the back rails
NC0 moved to the left, #2 had a couple of bites here
#1 backed up to do a PS, #2 took a few pieces of fish
#1 ushered it away
NC0 was almost down to the fish tail by the time #2 got in a better position
The fish was all gone at 5:36
Scene at present, 8:10 - both chicks in front of NC0. There have been no other fish deliveries as yet.
BFN