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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  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 still waiting for Laddie, 8:14

    Off to work. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 14:38 Laddie to the nest with a clump of grass!

    NC0 was not best pleased!

    She flew off to the birch

    14:50

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL