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
21:02 Pre-night cam. The nest was looking so lovely and inviting for an egg today, now it's gone back to being soggy. Hopefully, the rain will cease and the strong wind will dry it out again
©SWT/LotL
13th April
Morning All,
NC0 landed on the perch at 4:37
She remained on there until just after Laddie arrived at 5:40
5:45 NC0 had been making short calls and jumped onto the nest. She lowered herself into an anticipating mating position
Mating
8:09 Laddie with a good-sized headless fish. NC0 had been fish calling for quite a long while prior to its delivery
Off to enjoy her breakfish
Laddie remained on the nest and undertook some nestorising - nestcupping, aerating and moving nesting material, as well as taking regular breaks of course!
Something caught his attention and he flew off at 8:37
Laddie had returned to the nest (at 8:41) and was testing the nest cup when...
... at 9:02, he became agitated, rose and began to chip/alarm call
He looked skyward
No threat seen.
Back to the centre of the nest at 9:06
Still there at present, 9:30
BTW, there is no egg as yet, Laddie is getting in some practise for when there is! lol
I'm off out today, a sure sign that NC0 will lay!! BFN
Must admit I thought there was as I was confused as who was sitting on nest until I rewound it back. Hopefully one will come over the weekend
Evening All,
Goodness, no egg yet!?
18:53
LotL Fb
A fish at 19:13. Unsure if it was headless or not - it appeared to be in the pics with Laddie but then seemed to flap about when NC0 had hold of it?!
NC0 attempting to take the fish from Laddie's talons
She carried it off in her beak
Laddie in the evening sunlight, 19:18
NC0 came back to the nest at 19:31, the remainder of the fish was in her right talons
She stood in the same position just quietly looking around
She flew off at 19:51
Both NC0 and Laddie came back to the nest at 19:53. Laddie made several attempts to take the fish from NC0
He tried and tried again but NC0 wasn't going to give up her meal
One last try but no luck
He waited on the front edge of the nest
Then flew off at 19:56
NC0 continued to eat her fish, this at 20:04
Fish all gone at 20:09 - cleaning her talons here
I think Laddie has forgiven NC0 for not sharing! Mating at 20:18
NC0 at present, 20:33