LOCH OF THE LOWES - AUGUST 2023 TO END FEBRUARY 2024

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

  • Unknown said:
    Great Tits, Blue Tits, Willow Warbler, Nuthatch.

    I didn't add the Nuthatches on the perch later:

    Around 16:30 a GSW interfered.  I dared not edit cos I'm tired and might have missed a quick on/off by someone of interest.  Did I spot a Goldfinch?  And can a Blue Tit be unblue?  Maybe it's the time of day lighting?

    IMAGICAT

  • I'll add Coal Tit to the list as well.
    Blue Tits can be unblue when they are youngsters

    Richard B

  • 18 August

    One Wood Pigeon on the nest and perch 20 minutes!  (I know you can see the join Stuck out tongue winking eye )

    IMAGICAT

  • Hi Sandra,, Scylla and all.
    As that's another season over I will be going back to quiet mode for the next few ,months. I will still be about and answering the odd question or two and helping to ID birds.
    Hopefully next year will show that NCO did migrate early and Laddie just had enough of PF4 and they will both return for the 2024 season.

    Hopefully see you all next year

    Richard B

  • Unknown said:
    I will be going back to quiet mode

    I shall miss you.

    Unknown said:
    I will still be about and answering the odd question or two and helping to ID birds.

    Hugging

    IMAGICAT

  • Late afternoon this guy's head popped up from below, s/he pottered up the nest and then perched for 10 minutes - I thought I'd do a clever snap to save doing a video but I got in over my head:

    IMAGICAT

  • I wont be far away Scylla

    Richard B

  • Hi Sandra,, Scylla and all.
    As that's another season over I will be going back to quiet mode for the next few ,months. I will still be about and answering the odd question or two and helping to ID birds.
    Hopefully next year will show that NCO did migrate early and Laddie just had enough of PF4 and they will both return for the 2024 season.

    Hopefully see you all next year

    Richard B

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    Quiet mode sounds good Richard, it’s been quite an exhausting season! Thanks for all of your valued input and support and I hope you’re right about NC0 and Laddie. Hugging

  • 22 August

    I've just caught up several days and was very disappointed to find no-one after the initial return of the corvid for a repeat performance from when I did the "clever" snap... then! a lovely little end-of-season surprise, when a Long-tailed Tit led the mini-invasion just after 08:00 this morning.

    (Not sure I've not missed anyone, maybe there's a Coal Tit...)

    .

    What a shame it didn't stay longer:

    IMAGICAT

  • Am sure Richard will know Scylla!

     

     2013 photos & vids here

    eff37 on Flickr