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)
Morning Karen and All,
There was a live fish delivery from Laddie at 5:20
NC0 dealt with the fish as Laddie flew off, he veered off to the right and out of cam view
#1 received fish from NC0, it was laying down on NC0's right
#2 turned round and did several crop drops. #1 could be seen nibbling at the fish
NC0 reached over to #2 to feed a few pieces in between #1 having some too
#2 then moved forward and waited
NC0 reached over, #2 had snatched this piece
And this one
#2 eventually got closer to NC0 and she offered more pieces
After a private feeding, and with the fish all gone, NC0 began tidying up
NC0 cleaning her beak at 5:40
An aggression-free feed for #2!
©SWT/LotL
7:40 NC0 stretching her wings before going on a comfort break
She returned with some moss
7:46 Both chicks sorting out the new addition to the nest
Off to work shortly. BFN
After checking through scroll back, up to the present time, I can't find anymore fish deliveries
12:58 Chicks are hidden in front of NC0
BBL
15:10 NC0 was calling before going on a comfort break. Could Laddie have been in her sight?
#1 closest to the cam
It is very noticeable how much darker #2 is
#1 did a crop drop
NC0 returned with some moss
Overhead wing stretch from #2
#1 followed suit
#2 was investigating the nest cup and it appeared that it found a piece of dropped fish, it certainly wasn't a feather!
#2 swallowed it
At 16:50, #2 cast a pellet
NC0 watched as it shook its head
The pellet dropped onto the nest
NC0 came over to investigate
17:35 NC0 is on a comfort break at present
17:38
17:40
BFN
19:25 Laddie with a small live fish. #1 had already shown aggression to #2 a couple of minutes beforehand while NC0 was screeching. #2 went into submission and was seen in that position when NC0 went off to see where Laddie was
NC0 collected the fish
Feeding #1, I assume. The feed throughout was blocked
Fish was all gone at 19:30 - NC0 called for more
A clear view of #2 after NC0 had moved to the right side of the nest. It was still in submission but facing the back
I'd be surprised if #2 received any of that meal
Another small, live fish from Laddie at 19:36
#2 could be seen in submission on the left
#2 walked to the right
Its head can be seen near the right edge of the nest
#1 stood tall, #2 went into submission again. #1 went back to NC0 to be fed
#2 did finally edge its way around the back to the right side of the nest
Seeing #1 heading towards it, it turned and #1 showed aggression
Back into submission
More fish for #1
19:45 The fish had all gone. #2 came out of its submission and headed towards NC0
There was another quite vicious attack from #1