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
The second fish was delivered at 9:58, it was alive and flapped on the nest before NC0 took it in hand
#2 moved itself to the left edge of the nest
At 10:03, it had moved close to NC0
NC0 noticed #2 was there and gave it a piece of fish before continuing to feed #1
10:06 NC0 gave #2 a long, red strand of fish which it accepted
She then gave #2 a private feed
Fish was all gone at 10:15
Another fish at 11:48
A fabulous feed for #2
Fish #4 at 12:52 - it appears that Laddie has found some perch? today
Scene at present, 13:15
Happy days!
BFN
©SWT/LotL
So happy to see #2 tucking in side by side with #1 as well behaved osplets should. Keep them coming Laddie!
Literally tears of Joy.
Continuing on from the lunchtime feed, NC0 was eating for herself at 13:24
At 13:36 NC0 had taken a pause with feeding herself. The chicks were flaked out!
NC0 had already repositioned herself, with the remainder of the fish at 14:06 - she offered more to #2, two small pieces accepted
More for you #2? No thanks mum!
How about you #1? Not for me thanks!
#2 did then accept more at 14:10
The fish was finally finished at 14:27ish - #2 lying down beside NC0
Taken at 17:18
I can't see that anymore fish have been delivered since lunchtime
A small, flapping fish at 18:02
NC0 contained the fish
#2 being fed here
NC0 had altered her position so the feed was blocked, both chicks were there though, #2 was on her right; #1 directly in front of her
NC0 tidying up at 18:14
18:15
Headless fish from Laddie at 21:27