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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
Cont'd...
Oh dear
Very unpleasant to watch, #1 was quite vicious TBH
20:34 #1 continuing to be fed, #2 had risen from its submission
20:35 #2 approached NC0 and it looked as if she was going to offer it a piece of fish when...
When #2 eventually moved itself attempt to get closer to NC0, #1 stood tall as a warning before continuing to eat
#2 sidled its way further forward
20:39 #2 faced NC0
NC0 gave a piece to #2, it was snatched quickly
#1 stood tall, #2 retreated
#2 tried again to join in but #1 did the same again and warned it off
#1 was literally being plied with fish
20:45 #2 watched, then...
NC0 began to feed #2 (fish in its beak here)
It received about 4 pieces before #1 looked at #2
A couple more pieces were given to #1 then NC0 gave #2 the fish tail...
...which it managed to swallow! #1 wasn't too pleased
20:47
TBC Edit: There was a lot of aggression shown towards #2 so I will not be posting an additional report
©SWT/LotL
Richard B
A HUGE, headless fish from Laddie at 22:17
The feed started with #1 receiving its fish first
#2 moved away
More dominance from #1
22:24 #2 was at the back of the nest
It moved close, behind NC0 and began to receive its fish at 22:26
At present, 22:44, NC0 is eating for herself and has been for a couple of minutes. #2 can be seen just to her right (our left) - it appears to have a full crop
22:52 NC0 offering #2 more fish, not taken so it must be full
Unknown said:
A choice of 2 fish really, a Goldfish as already stated or a Golden Orfe.
The Golden Orfe is found in the wild
------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks so much Richard, I've never heard of it!
22:56 #1 laying down, #2 behind it sporting a very large crop!
23:12 NC0 still tucking in
Unknown said:I know a couple of lakes where people have disposed of their goldfish which have subsequently enjoyed their freedom and prosepred - perhaps that has happened at Lowes.
Ahh ok, thank you AG
NC0 finished off the fish at 23:40 (tail in her beak)
She rolled the egg under her
She finally settled after the chicks had adjusted their positions. I think it was #1 who could be partially seen next to her right wing