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

  • 21:42 PF5 flew from the birch, he was calling, and headed low, behind it (in the area marked yellow). That's the area he went to roost last night

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 22:01 I wonder if PF4 will stop eating and take the remainder of the fish (if there is any left) when she goes off to roost?

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 22:30 PF4 was eating on the perch, she had been there for 10 minutes 

    22:45 

    At 22:47, she stopped eating, lifted her left foot and the end of the fish dropped to the ground

    Cleaning her talons

    23:22 She's sleeping on the perch tonight

    Tucked in at 23:26

    ©SWT/LotL

  • This is all I have for the afternoon - PF5's arrival was caught up in the next session, which crashed when it was nearly ready for processing, with hours and hours therefore lost.

    Sandra P said:
    Laddie has delivered to PF4, Glider, 13:58

  • 24 July

    Sandra P said:
    Tucked in at 23:26

    Stayed like that all night - but I've just realised that I let the download lapse... only just restarted it.

    From rollback, she woke up about 2-and-a-half hours ago and went back to sleep again, eventually PF5's distant screeching resulted in a duet.  At one stage PF4 thought that Bro was approaching and she jumped down to the nest cawing and mantling, but nothing came of it.

    I recorded this sweet birdsong from rollback:

  • scylla said:

    24 July

    From rollback, she woke up about 2-and-a-half hours ago and went back to sleep again, eventually PF5's distant screeching resulted in a duet.  At one stage PF4 thought that Bro was approaching and she jumped down to the nest cawing and mantling, but nothing came of it.

    I recorded this sweet birdsong from rollback:

    https://youtu.be/deUf4kTbsO0

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    Morning Scylla and All

    At one stage PF4 thought that Bro was approaching and she jumped down to the nest cawing and mantling, but nothing came of it.

    I think this is the event you mentioned, Scylla (5:50)

    PF5 was calling on the birch

    He took off

    PF5 flew down the inlet, better seen in his reflection

    After looking around, PF4 was interested in something between the sticks

    She bent down...

    ...and pulled out worm-like fish innards, probably discarded when eating her fish yesterday

    She proceeded to eat it

    In your video, it sounded like a Jenny Wren singing?

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 8:04, PF4 flew up to the cam post

    She flapped down to the nest at 9:15 (I assume she had been up there all that time). She was very vocal, as was PF5 who was fish calling somewhere

    She flapped her wings and continued to shout, as was PF5

    PF5 quietened down but looked in this direction

    PF4 relaxed, no calling from either juveniles

    ©SWT/LotL

  • There's an unringed intruder around, it attempted to land on the nest - PF4 flapped it away (10:35)

    Lots of calling and flapping from PF4, which started at around 10:27. PF5 could be heard shouting in the distance too

    10:28 Both juveniles were calling, Laddie could be heard alarm calling. PF4 stood still, watchful

    More calling from both PF4 and PF5

    10:30 PF4 in defence

    Alarm calling from Laddie heard

    10:32 The intruder made three flights behind the nest

    First...

    Second

    The third (top right). This time it came to the nest

    It hovered over the nest before attempting to land

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 11:16 PF4 flapped down to, what I believe to be, the limb of the nest tree

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 11:42ish, calls from PF5 could be heard. There was a flight within the birch branches, I assume it was him. PF4 began to call

    She left her position on the limb and flapped up to the nest. I do not know where PF5 had disappeared to

    Perhaps PF5 had flown down the inlet?

    PF4 began to call

    She looked here...

    ...and there

    Then flew up to the the cam post

    ©SWT/LotL