LOCH OF THE LOWES - JUNE 2023

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* 

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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)

  • Not so little No 2 bob seems to be getting plenty of fish now, hopefully the aggression will not return.
    However thinking back to the first couple of days after hatching that No 1 endured with no food for a very long time I can't blame it for wanting plenty of food to survive.

    Richard B

  • Unknown said:
    Not sure what's going on, but every time I look at the nestcam there is a feed going on.
    It's seems like Laddie has found a great fishing spot.

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    Thanks Richard! These are the deliveries that I can find...

    Fish #3 - 13:29, only a small one

    Fish #4 - 15:15, much larger this time!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Unknown said:
    Not so little No 2 bob seems to be getting plenty of fish now, hopefully the aggression will not return.
    However thinking back to the first couple of days after hatching that No 1 endured with no food for a very long time I can't blame it for wanting plenty of food to survive.

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    I totally agree with that, Richard. It also makes me wonder what would have happened here if egg #1 had hatched as well. I think we should be so thankful that both these chicks are thriving - long may that continue.

  • Unknown said:

    Lovely captures Sandra, thank you. What an outstanding blue sky and placed lake

    Actually, that should read, what an outstanding blue lake  !

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    You're welcome, Cirrus.

    This nest is in such a beautiful location!

  • Haven't seen it yet, but that Greenfinch is calling every evening, probably a nest nearby.

    Richard B

  • The cam zoomed in at 17:40, shortly after NC0 had left the nest for a comfort break. Some random pics taken before the cam panned out some 20 minutes later.

    NC0 returned with a stick

    Look at #2's expression as NC0 placed the stick! lol

    #2 stood up

    #2 standing tall (it did back up to do a PS)

    It flapped its wings

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 20:17 The chicks have been alone on the nest since 19:12 - NC0 is, at present, above the cam

    Pics taken 20:10 - 20:12

    #2 standing

    A lovely wing stretch from #1

    #2 looking above the cam

    I haven't seen anymore fish deliveries

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 20:18 NC0 could be heard leaving her spot above the cam and returned to the nest a minute or so later with a stick

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Fish #5 at 20:23 - large and headless! (Edit: possibly not headless?)

    ©SWT/LotL

  • fantastic to see everything going well here and long may it continue.

    Thanks for all the updates Sandra

    They really are looking like proper little ospreys now :-)