Continued from March 2024
Webcam page with links to LotL Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve FB, Twitter, SWT News Feed and to Donate >>>
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/
For the current 'LIVE' YouTube link, visit >>> https://www.youtube.com/@ScottishWildlifeTrustvideos/streams
The Osprey Protection Programme at Loch of the Lowes is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, with funds awarded by Postcode Planet Trust
All captures and videos ©Scottish Wildlife Trust/Loch of the Lowes
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It was a very welcomed surprise to see NC0 arrive back from her wintering grounds on the 8th March, her earliest return to date! NC0 kept herself occupied while alone - catching some impressive-sized fish to eat as well as preparing the nest in readiness for future eggs. To note, her severely split blue darvic ring (as seen last season) is missing and she now only wears a BTO ring on her right leg.
It was a nail-biting time for us waiting to see if dear Laddie would make an appearance too and, little did we know, that it would be a further 19 days before he made his ‘grand entrance’ on the 27th, being ‘escorted’ to the nest by a flock of very vocal gulls!
Having settled into their usual routines on the nest and around the reserve, we now look forward to watching this season’s events unfold.
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Nest Updates
Arrival dates: NC0(16) - 8.3.24 (17:52) Laddie (LM12) - 27.3.24 (16:38)
Eggs laid: Egg #1 - 17.4.24 (10:48) Egg #2 - 20.4.24 (10:53) Egg #3 - 23.4.24 (20:47)
Link to blogs and updates during March
April Blogs and Updates (published dates)
17.4.24: SWT/LotL blog >>> First osprey egg of the season at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve
17.4.24: SWT video >>> NC0 Laying First Egg of the Season
20.4.24: SWT/LotL blog >>> Second osprey egg of the season at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve
20.4.24: SWT video >>> NC0 Lays Second Egg of the Season
24.4.24: SWT/LotL blog >>> Third osprey egg of the season at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve
24.4.24: SWT video >>> Female Osprey NC0 Lays Third Egg of the Season
30.4.24: LotL Fb >>> Regarding Laddie's absence
12:33 Mating
NC0 had spent all her time, since my last report, on the centre of the nest.
She flew off at 13:11 when there was what sounded like a single gun shot? that spooked her
Possible distant alarm calls were heard
Laddie to the nest almost straight away
He did some nestorising...
Nestcupping...
And general standing on the nest, keeping as still as he could in the strong wind
He flew off at 13:15ish
He returned with a stick at 13:25
13:28 NC0 returned
Laddie flew off a minute later
NC0 at 13:37
And resting at 13:52
©SWT/LotL
Cam offline 15:52
Thank goodness I'd been taking regular screenshots of the activity prior to the cam going down!
14:06 NC0 stared in this direction...
Then suddenly flew off the nest
Laddie arrived at 14:09 and looked skyward
NC0 joined him at 14:20
Laddie off the nest at 14:23. He did a flight over the Loch, from right to left, to then came back to mate
14:47 NC0 facing into the wind...
And both were doing the same at 15:14
15:16
15:28 NC0 voiced her annoyance at a crow who came to close to the nest
Cam went into buffer mode at 15:52 prior to going offline. NC0 was on the nest
Cam back online
New YT URL
16:34 NC0 still being buffeted by the wind
16:59 The nest is looking good, great progress made today!
Intruder? 17:16 Yes there was, it flew directly over from the top, right-hand side
Laddie arrived at the nest, on alert
Laddie flew off as NC0 was coming down to land
NC0 saw the intruder coming and lowered herself in preparation
Intruder's tail, top of pic
Laddie back to the nest at 17:20 - the cam had zoomed in slightly
Both holding on in the wind
Thanks for your wonderful summary Sandra. These two just seem to be so “together” this year.
Yes, that is the visitors’ centre behind the double hide.
A pleasure, Glider. Many thanks for confirming the position of the VC in relation to the two story hide, much appreciated!
18:05 NC0 and a rainbow
And again at 18:52
19:29 Mating
At present, 19:47, NC0 fish calling
NC0 left at 20:03
After a lovely flight around by the birch corner, she landed on her diving branch
Laddie back to the nest at 20:20 - a mis-judged landing?
Back came NC0 at 20:22
Laddie lifted up into the air and flew round anticlockwise to come back to mate - thus was unsuccessful
NC0 remained on the nest until 20:26
She flew off directly to the right
Pre night cam at 20:50, an empty birch as far as I could tell