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
Sandra P said:12:58 She arrived on the nest perch, from the right, carrying what appeared to be some vegetation in her talons
Sandra P said:13:52 Gosh, what did she see off to the right? PF4 alarm called and immediately flew from the nest!
She did exactly the same at around 07:15 this morning, flying from the perch that time.
IMAGICAT
PF4, presumably, on the birch at 18:30 - I haven't had time to look back to see if she's made any diving attempts
©SWT/LotL
Sandra P said:I haven't had time to look back to see if she's made any diving attempts
I found one - unsuccessful ((( Maybe i missed more. And would you believe another jet plane, this one even louder than previous, I reckon. Sorry I haven't done the times, I just can't.
Thanks for the videos, Scylla! I think the first jet was heading in the direction towards the cam, the second was it flying away from it? Just guessing really
At 20:43, PF4 was on the birch. She began to call loudly (fish calls), flew off continuing to shout and headed down the inlet. Her calls became quieter the further away she got until it went silent. Had she spotted Laddie? (very much wishful thinking here!)
21:15 PF4 hasn't returned to the nest. Due to the pixelation/light, it's unclear if she is on the birch. No calling can be heard (my sound is on max)
PF4 arrived back to the nest at 21:52ish, flying in at speed (and shouting) from behind the left side of the cam
She flapped her wings and shouted on landing
She looked in the direction she'd flown from
She quietly looked around in all directions
Stared at the nest
A look behind, her head feathers ruffled in the wind
She then stared at the cam, moving her head from side to side...
...and flew up towards it
Did her chest hit it?
She flew off to the right and out of cam view
PF4 did not fly over the Loch
There was no way of telling if PF4 was roosting on the birch at 22:10, just before night cam came on, once again due to pixelation/gusty conditions
Morning Karen and All,
The latest LotL blog should be published soon so hopefully that should give us additional info. Failing that, fingers crossed for an update on Fb when they're able to.
PF4 wasn't on the birch at first light. She flew onto the nest, from the behind the right side of the cam, at 5:15
She stayed on the nest until 5:30ish, flying off after calling loudly. Her calls became fainter so she had flown well away from the nest
When PF4 was on the nest at 7:20 (she had been back a little while beforehand), she became quite animated, flapping her wings/shouting. Who was about?
She then continued to fish call
At 7:40ish, after making occasional calls and looking around, she flew up to the cam post
Scene at present, 9:03 - she has been calling for fish