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
16:19 NC0 was fish calling
Laddie got up and flew off the nest, NC0 remained on the perch
The cam operator took the opportunity to zoom in, even closer than earlier, onto the precious eggs (egg #2, on the left)
NC0 came onto the nest
Cam panned back out
17:05 Laddie has not returned since then
©SWT/LotL
20:14 Laddie finally returned to the nest with...some grass!
NC0 was shouting
She flew off
Laddie's undercarriage looked damp
20:25 For the past couple of minutes, I've been hearing NC0 fish calling from somewhere but I can't see her
Edit: 20:27 She's now on her diving branch of the birch
20:50 NC0 back to the perch, still giving Laddie 'an earful'
She jumped onto the nest at 20:52. As she approached the nest cup, she stumbled slightly when she stood on some matted grass
20:53 After a couple of flaps of his wings, he left, flying to the area in the birch marked
NC0 got up to roll the eggs at 21:56
21:05 Aerating the nest cup
21:09
Laddie didn't return to the nest
22:26 Bless dear NC0, keeping her eggs nice and warm (cropped pics)
22:43
Hopefully, a lovely early fish for her tomorrow
22nd April
Good morning
Laddie came to the nest at 5:10
He took over incubation at 5:12 - NC0 was calling for fish
She went off to the birch for her break
NC0 popped back to the perch for a couple of minutes at 5:35. She gave Laddie her fish order before leaving
6:10 NC0 returned to take over incubation
At 6:54, NC0 had a visitor who landed briefly on the perch, she grunted and it flew off
NC0 at present, 7:17
NC0 still waiting for Laddie, 8:14
Off to work. BFN
Good afternoon,
Laddie has been to the nest twice since my last report - both resulted with him taking over incubation
First, at 8:23, when he brought some bark
And with more bark at 11:13
At 12:25, during this incubation, the cam zoomed in briefly
He placed some grass on his back
NC0 at present, 14:16. She has been incubating since taking over at 12:29
Still awaiting a fish to be delivered
14:38 Laddie to the nest with a clump of grass!
NC0 was not best pleased!
She flew off to the birch
14:50
Laddie up from the eggs and chipping, 14:57, There was no reaction from NC0 who was still on the birch
He flapped his wings and chipped/alarm called
More relaxed here and settle down to incubate, being watchful
Skydancing could be heard at 15:00
He rose from the eggs, watching the sky
He flew off to defend. NC0 was still on the birch at this time
NC0 returned to the eggs at 15:02
16:16 An unringed intruder landed. NC0 flapped it away but it came back immediately. Once again NC0 defended!
It came back as soon as it went out of cam view