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

  • See previous page for what was, in my opinion, an epic battle for the nest between PF4 and PF5

    PF4 left the nest perch and flew to the birch at 22:02

    It's been ENS since then

    ©SWT/LotL

  • It'll be interesting to see what the next LoTL blog makes of all this

    Richard B

  • Morning Richard and All,

    Indeed! An account of what happened around the reserve with the chases yesterday evening would be good too, I bet it was exciting to watch! Maybe the 'battle' isn't over just yet...

    6:10 PF4 was on the perch, she looked down the inlet and vocalised

    She flapped down onto the nest, shouting

    She turned...

    ...and jumped, raising her wings in defence

    PF4 turned, still shouting

    IF this was PF5, he was unseen on his approach or flight away

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 8:41 PF4 flew off from the perch to a low branch in the birch area

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 8:49ish PF4 made a dive from that position

    She flapped in the water a good few times before rising 

    A flight over the Loch

    Then she turned to head back to the birch

    On landing, she made a few chupping calls

    Edited in: She made another dive from the branch she had landed on

    She flew over the Loch then turned, a brief flight towards the inlet

    Then back round, flying around the birch corner

    PF4 was back on the low branch again at 8:53

    ©SWT/LotL

  • PF4 made a third dive (that I saw) before heading back to the nest at 8:54 

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Hi all, here I am, still on phablet, engineer due tomorrow.  Am still labouring over video for yesterday, utterly confused due to internet AND water outages unable to concentrate... What's new?

    No happy reunion yet, I see.

  • Good morning Scylla,

    Sorry to read that you have an internet outage, hopefully it'll be a quick fix tomorrow! Gosh, water too?

    The whole episode yesterday was confusing TBH, I'm not sure if I caught everything that occurred. I just hope PF5 is alright...

    11:00 PF4 on the perch preening. She has been fish calling on occasion since returning to the nest earlier but I've not heard PF5 call in response (my sound is up to max)

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 11:13, PF4 went off for a bit of goose chasing, over the Loch, down the inlet and around the birch area. She was soon back on the perch after getting that out of her system!
  • 12:11 PF4 went on the defence and flapped down to the nest from the perch

    She flapped her wings and shouted

    Watchful

    She shouted again

    Her defence shouting stopped and PF4 began to fish call

    She paused and was quiet for a short time

    12:14 Fish calling again...

    Then down onto the limb

    She continued to call for fish for the few minutes she was on there before flying back up to the nest perch

    Scene at present, 12:50 - it's become very windy

    ©SWT/LotL