LOCH OF THE LOWES - JULY 2023

Continued from June 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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Laddie had a record breaking fish day on the 15th June, when he brought ELEVEN of them to the nest for NC0 and the chicks to dine on - amazing!

As the two chicks grew, it was clearly obvious - with the difference in size - that #1 was a female and #2 a male, this being confirmed at their ringing on the 22nd June. 

NC0 began fishing for the first time this season on the 30th June, with TWO successful catches in one day. Hopefully, both she and Laddie will continue to bring plenty of fish for their growing youngsters to enjoy in a now, harmonious manner.

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)

Hatched: 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*

Fledged:  9.7.23 - PF4(f) 57 days old (10:07)   13.7.23 - PF5(m) 58 days old (09:57)

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Links to blogs and updates during March/April,  May,  June

July Blogs and Updates (published dates)

8.7.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Weeks 15 & 16

10.7.23 SWT video >>> Young Osprey Flies For The First Time

14.7.23 SWT video >>> Osprey Sibling Takes To The Skies

14.7.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Translocations: To move or not to move?

22.7.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Weeks 17 & 18

  • Loud calling from PF4, at 11:53, and she jumped sideways down to the nest

    After composing herself, she continued to call for a while

    Then quietened down to rest

    She flew back up to the cam post 10 minutes or so after landing back on the nest

    Scene at present, 12:52, PF4 is on the perch, PF5 fish calling on the birch

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A loud jet flew overhead at around 13:01. Both juveniles were ok with that but then PF5 flew from the birch and headed down the inlet

    PF4 made similar to chipping calls as she turned to come onto the nest

    PF5, highlighted, in flight

    She called for fish...

    Then flew up to the cam post

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 13:35 Oh my goodness! Loud calling could be heard in the distance before Laddie landed on the nest with a tiny fish. A juvenile came screaming in, flying at a rate of knots...it was PF5, who quickly snatched the fish from Laddie and flew off immediately with the meal in his beak!

    He appeared to skid to a halt such was the speed of his landing

    Laddie flew off in the same direction

    A single chipping call could be heard then there was a flight from right to left

    Loud calling from PF4? She landed on the nest

    She flapped and shouted

    Loud alarm calling heard

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Richard, PF5 was amazing, it all happened in a matter of 2-3 seconds! I don't think I've ever seen anything like it TBH

  • 19:52 PF4, who had been sitting on the nest perch for a very long while, flew off to land on a low branch in the birch area. Possibly PF5 above on NC0's diving perch

    She wasn't on there long before she mad a short dive to her left, this is her flapping out of the water

    She went into the area marked yellow - lots of wing flapping before she disappeared

    ©SWT/LotL

  • PF4 landed back on the nest at 20:10, quite vocal too

    20:13 She looked down from the front, left edge of the nest and began to call

    She then flew downwards

    PF5 could be heard calling as she landed on a limb/branch of the nest tree - not for the first time today!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 20:30 After a couple of calls, PF4 has flown and landed on NC0's diving branch of the birch before flapping down to a lower branch

    Still there at 20:37

    20:38 Back to the nest

    20:40

    She was very vocal as she flapped onto the perch at 20:42

    ©SWT/LotL

  • PF4 had been off and on the nest a couple of times since my last post. Here she is at 21:46 before leaving for the night

    She called before heading off to the birch area

    PF4 flew behind the area marked yellow

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 24 July

    Sandra P said:
    13:35 Oh my goodness! Loud calling could be heard in the distance before Laddie landed on the nest with a tiny fish. A juvenile came screaming in, flying at a rate of knots...it was PF5, who quickly snatched the fish from Laddie and flew off immediately with the meal in his beak!

    I couldn't find it yesterday but managed with a slightly clearer head this morning - just the basic incident, no frills and no hint of poor PF4 landing only seconds later...