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
Yes Richard, #1 only getting fed after #2 had turned away!
Pics edited in: #2 had made its way round to NC0 (from behind her tail) to begin its feed; #1 was behind her, near the back of the nest, but soon made its way to her right side
21:35 #1 still waiting
21:40 #1 had positioned itself behind NC0
21:44 #1 came back round and watched NC0 swallow a piece. The feed had continued at this point for #2
#1 lay down
#2 refused anymore fish
NC0 began feeding #1 at 21:47
©SWT/LotL
NCO tidying up at 21:56
23:15 With 6 fish eaten today, I think this beautiful family will sleep well tonight
Morning Richard and All,
The 5:40 delivery (thanks Richard!)
#1 stood tall to show dominance to #2
NC0 fed #1, #2 waited at the front of the nest
#2 joined its sibling and NC0 at 5:56ish to receive 5 pieces of fish from tidy up
8:06
8:10 #2 still has fish in its crop from last night's meal
BFN
There have been two further fish deliveries (up until 13:30) Pics edited in
12:35 (large whole one)
#1 was fed first
#2 was then given many pieces on a solo feed. #2 had sidleed up close to NC0 (behind her head here
Dual feeding
After a short while, #1 turned on #2
#2 eventually wandered around the back edge of the nest to the right side while NC0 continued to feed #1
NC0 then proceeded to give #2 another private feed once #1 had moved away
NC0 tidying up at 12:49
And at 13:14 (headless Edit: apologies, it appeared to be another whole fish)
Dual feeding (#2 was to NC0's right)
#1 with a piece of fish in its beak here
The fish was all gone at 13:24
Fish #4 was delivered at 13:55 - NC0 had pancaked the nest a few minutes before this delivery, intruder around?
Both chicks received another feed - #2 hidden but in front of NC0
18:31 I can't find anymore fish deliveries since then
At 15:54, NC0 was defending the nest and chicks
Cam zoomed in
NC0 was very much on alert
She made a contact call and flew off the nest
The chicks watched her flight
Awww...
#2 stood up to do a PS
It gave its wings a good flap
Both settled together again - tracking something in the sky, could it have been NC0?
NC0 returned some 8 minutes or so after leaving
The cam remained zoomed in until 16:28 (I'll take a look a little later and will add other pics in a separate post)