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)
*18:09 more for #1
*18:11 More for #2
NC0 eating for herself at 18:22
Swallowing the fish tail at 18:24
* Pics edited in
©SWT/LotL
20:44 NC0 is on her diving branch of the birch, she has been calling, on occasion, since landing there at 20:04
NC0 returned with a lichen covered, twiggy stick at 20:54
22:03 NC0 has been very vocal for the past seven minutes or so
Headless fish at 22:29 and it is a whopper!!
#2 had a peck at it...
...then moved away. NC0 offered a small piece to #1
Laddie dipped his talons in the Loch before heading behind the area marked
NC0 commenced the feed with #1, #2 was behind her at this time
It then waited at the back of the nest
22:36 #2 had made its way around the left edge of the nest
It got really close and attempted to snatch some pieces offered to #1 - #2 appeared to be successful on a couple of occasions
Dominance then shown by #1 (not physical)
Getting closer to NC0
Finally getting fed at 22:47 after turning itself around
Along with pieces of flesh, fish skin was also given and eaten
And it continued!
#2 turned away from the feed at 22:55 (it had eaten many pieces!)
NC0 ate for herself from the small end of the fish that remained
As #2 went to settle down, NC0 offered another piece of fish to it but that wasn't taken
The fish was all gone at 22:59. NC0 picking up any dropped scraps here
All three resting at 23:05, just prior to night cam coming on
Scene at present, 23:53. Bless them
Morning All,
It's a very rainy start to the day at Lowes
NC0, still sleeping, was doing her best to shelter the chicks from the rain at 3:52
7:31 NC0 returned to the nest after an hour and 20 minute break (she was on the birch for a lot of that time)
No fish as yet.
8:03 Hopefully, the weather will improve soon
Off to work, BFN
Richard B