LOCH OF THE LOWES - April 2024

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) 

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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

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  • getting light but Laddie's not been in  yet... oops!  Here he is.  Just standing by

    5:15

    NC0 flew off to the birch

    NC0 returned to the perch at 6:28

    NC0 to the nest, Laddie then was up and away, 6:30. I think the paler egg is #2

    Laddie with grasses at 6:57

    Another exchange of duty at 7:03

    Laddie flew off at 7:28

    The eggs were not unattended for long. As soon as Laddie had disappeared from the screen, NC0 left the birch - alarm calls heard as she made her way back

    8:25 NC0 being harassed by gulls (video courtesy of Scylla - thank you!)

    https://youtu.be/qnWIv1sAtvk

    NC0 was being bothered by them at 9:07 too, but for a shorter time

    ©SWT/LotL

    Edit: Have you noticed that the time of 'reports' is being shown as posted an hour earlier? I posted this one at 9:27

  • NC0 was being bothered by them at 9:07 too, but for a shorter time

    Laddie came to the nest with more grass at 9:12

    NC0 to the birch for another comfort break

    NC0 returned at 9:53 with her own addition to the nest (unsure what it was)

    Laddie flew off at 9:55

    NC0 at present, 10:18

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 10:34 NC0 was resting her eyes in between quietly calling. Laddie flew over the nest (he continued off to the right). Hopefully, he was going fishing

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Fish from Laddie at 11:57 

    Cam zoomed in. NC0 picked up the small, whole fish

    Off she went

    Laddie didn't roll the eggs before settling down to incubate, only one on show here (possibly #1?)

    Cam panned out to show NC0 on the birch with her lunch

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 13:16 Laddie still incubating. Not sure if this is NC0 is on the birch

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 returned to the perch at 13:31

    13:43 Both still in their same positions, looking thoroughly soaked! 

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 13:50, Laddie chipped a couple of times but did not otherwise react to anything that was unseen

    13:53 Laddie moved a clump of grass from near the nest cup, before he changed his incubating position - both eggs on show, egg #2 is the paler one of the two (cropped pic)

    Cam zoomed in at 13:59 as he rose from the eggs again

    Eggs clearly on show here!

    Cam panned out slightly after he'd settled. NC0 was preening

    Cam has remained in this position

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 14:28 Laddie up to change his position

    He didn't roll the eggs

    At present, 14:36

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 14:45 Laddie up from the eggs, flapped his wings and flew off the nest

    NC0 down from the perch to incubate, cam zoomed in further

    She shimmied down

    Up to give the eggs a quick roll at 14:54

    She's just moved her head here after rolling them, hence the slight blur

    She shuffled around to alter her position at 14:57

    The cam panned back out at 15:02

    Many thanks to the cam operator, it's always fantastic to see such a close up view!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Laddie with more grass at 15:38 - NC0 was asking for more fish!

    NC0 got up and Laddie made his way to the nest cup. She was still making her feelings known

    She flew off to the birch at 15:39

    NC0 left the birch at 16:00 and headed off to the left

    At present, 16:14, NC0 is preening on the perch (having landed there at 16:11)

    ©SWT/LotL