Continued from July 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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From the beginning of July, all continued to go well (with both PF4 and PF5 successfully taking their maiden flights on the 9th and 13th respectively) until the middle of the month. On the 15th, NC0, after attempting to snatch a meal from her eldest offspring, was forced off the nest by PF4. Sadly, this could have been the last sighting on camera this season of such a fabulous mum. Had she started her migration so early?
Without NC0 around, things on the nest then seemed to go into disarray. PF5 began to show a lot of dominance over his sister and, on the 21st, took control of the nest. After an early morning fish delivery on the 23rd and then being 'harassed' by PF4, who tried take his meal, he himself was ousted once he had flown off nest to eat in peace. Since then, PF4 has been in charge of the nest. On the 25th, PF5 made an heroic attempt to reclaim the nest from his sister, showing off his spectacular dive-bombing skills - however this did not work.
Laddie's fish deliveries to the nest have been fraught to watch and they have almost caused him harm. PF4 has been extremely overpowering and aggressive towards him in her attempts to claim most of the fish that he has brought to the nest. There is much worry over PF5 and whether he is being fed off nest. Hopefully, that is the case now that he has claimed his own 'patch' elsewhere on the reserve.
Early evening, on the last day of the month, PF4 was seen live on cam diving from the split birch to successfully catch her first fish, albeit a tiny one. She had been making many unsuccessful practise dives from the birch on previous occasions. An initial one, witnessed on the 18th, can be viewed in this SWT video.
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)
Last seen: NC0 - 15.7.23 (pm); PF5, 73 days - 28.7.23 (pm); Laddie - 6.8.23 (pm); PF4, 86 days - 7.8.23 (am)
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Links to blogs and updates during March/April, May, June, July
August Blogs and Updates (published dates)
1.8.23 LotL Fb update re 'situation' >>> Here
4.8.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – Weeks 19 & 20
13.8.23 LotL blog >>> Osprey Diary at Loch of the Lowes – So Long and Fly High
Thank you for a great start to the month, SANDRA
Sandra P said:Early evening, on the last day of the month, PF4 was seen live on cam diving from the split birch to successfully catch her first fish, albeit a tiny one.
The silver lining to my difficult 31st of July was the survival here of this momentous achievement.
(I didn't have the heart to curtail PF4 devouring her tiddler.)
18:38 on 31 July ><(((('>
I expect you'd like this in its proper place, SANDRA, so I shan't weep if it's removed
IMAGICAT
Thanks for fab detailed new opening post and photos Sandra. Interesting to see what this month brings, hopefully good news about PF5 and NC0. That really was incredible seeing PF4 catching the tiny fish, actually spotting it from that distance and pinpointing its capture.
Morning Scylla, Karen, Glider and All,
Thank you, you're very welcome!
Scylla, your video is perfect where it is! I had hoped that you would zoom in to the actual dive from the birch, so very many thanks for showing that!
Here's PF4 shouting for fish just before flying off at 10:56. She had been on the nest calling for 42 minutes!
©SWT/LotL
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Richard B
Thank you, Richard and Sheila.
The first fish that I've seen delivered today, through scroll back, was a short time ago, at 18:07 - almost a re-run of yesterday's one from Laddie! Edit: actually, this was worse! I really hope that Laddie is ok and uninjured!
She appeared to go for the fish
Were Laddie's talons still gripped in it?
PF4 turned, their talons were clearly locked here
She pecked his head
Laddie righted himself then she launched another attack
He turned to try to get away
Her talons were still on his as she appeared to launch herself at him
He almost fell over the edge
Their talons still locked
She had another go...he fell backwards
As Laddie went down, PF4 flapped her wings in an effort to not go with him
Laddie was hanging upside down!!!
There was a brief lull whereby both were still
PF4 then flapped her wings to try to get back onto the nest again
Laddie flapped his wings, pulling her down
Unsure whose wing appeared here but most probably PF4's
They both disappeared from view.
Moments after, PF4 came screeching her way back to the nest to claim the fish
I assume this was Laddie flying over the Loch heading left
PF4 tucking in