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

  • Unknown said:
    I don't think we will be seeing these 2 on the nest together again.

    No, I don't think so, Richard, but would love to be proved wrong...

    17:55 PF4 had been bothered by a crow near the end of her meal

    18:03 She finished the fish at 18:03ish - 8 hours and 15 minutes after it was delivered by Laddie this morning

    Cleaning her beak here

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 18:30 Was there a conversation being had between PF4, on the perch, and PF5, on the birch? It sounded as if they were, to me anyway!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 18:58 PF5 flew from the birch, PF4 jumped down from the perch to the nest, flapping and shouting

    PF5 flying from the inlet

    He headed behind the nest until hidden from the trees then turned to fly left

    PF4 took off

    There was a chase

    Heading towards the birch area

    They disappeared after this pic

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Cont'd

    It wasn't long before both came back into view from around the birch corner, PF5 was chasing PF4!

    She landed, he flew off to the left

    PF4 turned, PF5 was speeding towards her, talons showing

    She lowered herself

    PF5 caught the bark and not PF4, it went over the edge

    PF5 flew behind the nest

    Then off to the left

    PF4 flew off the nest as PF5 came into view

    PF5 landed on the birch

    PF4 then gave chase

    This was PF5, I couldn't see PF4 who had flown close to the green tree area

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Cont'd
    Ahh, she flew back to the nest

    PF5 was back too to make his presence known

    He veered off to the left

    PF4 then left the nest again

    Another chase ensued around the birch corner

    ©SWT/LotL

  • And still it continued..

    Both were seen a couple of minutes after that, flying behind the nest - PF5 chasing PF4

    This was PF5, PF4 was behind the trees on the right

    PF4 landed on the nest

    PF5 divebombed her

    He came back round and divebombed her again!

    PF5 flying off, top left

    PF5 flew over

    PF4 flew up to the cam post. For time perspective, she did this at 19:05ish

    All that action in such a short space of time!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • PF4 must have flown away from the cam post as, at 19:08ish, a crow came onto the nest to poke around

    At 19:23, the crow cawed and headed off the nest...PF4 landed!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • PF4 back again. Guess who then did a flight behind the nest? Yep, PF5

    He flew around and wham, another divebomb!

    Back again for another

    He landed over on the sticks on the back of the nest

    He was ok and flew away...

    ...but not for long, he was back immediately to make another attempt to oust her from the nest, coming in from the right!

    PF4 flew up to the cam post after a minute or so

    It sounded as if she chased PF5 off

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 19:31 PF4 was on the nest

    PF5 struck again, PF4 over the edge of the nest

    PF5 landed!

    He flew off above the cam post

    ©SWT/LotL

  • PF4 landed shortly after he'd flown (19:35)

    There were no further incidents as far as I can tell when scrolling through.

    PF4 was on the perch fish calling at 20:36

    I do hope PF5 is ok, he must be exhausted!

    ©SWT/LotL