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
11th March
Morning All, it's a very windy start to the day.
NC0 to the nest at 5:41
Laddie flew in almost straightaway to mate. NC0 had been making contact calls. The wind hampered his efforts and he flew off
6:16 Laddie with a clump of grass
6:21 NC0 made contact calls. As Laddie lifted up to mate, grass was caught in his talons and it blew away
An unsuccessful mating - NC0 lifted her right wing to tip him off
Success at 6:56
7:47 NC0 flew off the nest
8:04 Still ENS at present
A busy day with two little ones here, will pop on when I can, BFN
©SWT/LotL
9:54 An unringed intruder, with similar head/eye band markings to NC0, landed on the nest. Cam zoomed in as it lay down in the centre. At 10:01, it flew off when NC0 came to defend the nest
Cam zoomed in
It was very much on alert, looking around
Pecking at some moss
Looking skyward
It stood up briefly
Chipping heard. It lay back down
It spread its wings. Chipping heard. The intruder chipped twice
It stood up. NC0 was incoming
Off it went!
NC0's talons, top left
She flapped her wings
Then flapped and chipped
10:02 Watchful
An intruder alert at 11:43
NC0 lowered herself into the centre of the nest
Laddie to the nest
Laddie chipped
Intruder, top of pic
More chipping from Laddie
He left to defend
A day of intruders, I think!!
12:48 NC0 on alert
She pancaked the nest
Chipping and alarm calling heard then Laddie came into view, flying from low left to right
He turned to land
Alarm calling and chipping on the briefest of landings
Off he went to deal with it
A whole fish delivery at 13:35
NC0 picked the fish up and carried it off in her beak
Mating on the cam post at 15:37
Laddie had been standing on the nest. He looked up to the cam post and made his way up there
Mating vocals could be heard
Laddie's post-mating fly-away
He made a u-turn...
...and flew off down the inlet
A headless fish delivery at 17:06. Laddie flew from right to left behind the nest to make his approach
Collected by NC0. The cam was going to be zoomed in
NC0 flew off
Cam panned back out
NC0 returned at 17:18 having eaten her meal
She made a contact call on landing
Laddie came down form the cam post.
Mating
18:21 Laddie's white feathers appeared to be quite wet after he landed on the nest, I wonder if he'd taken a bath?
He preened
Mating at 18:33
19:52 Mating
NC0 stayed on the nest for about a minute more before heading off
She landed here
It appears that NC0 has decided to roost on the perch tonight
21:52
Many thanks to the cam operators today for their fantastic zooms!