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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  • NC0 still incubating at 14:50

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 went off for a comfort break at 16:13 (that's a small, moulted white feather on the right edge of the nest cup)

    Back to the eggs about a minute later

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A whole fish for NC0 at 18:23

    She flew off and took it to the feeding post of the birch

    Laddie settled to incubate

    18:38 NC0 could be seen flying over the Loch and heading back to the birch. She's in a much clearer view now  (I hope she's still got her fish!)

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 18:58 NC0 returned with, what appeared to be, some nesting material

    Laddie was up immediately and flew off

    NC0 down to incubate

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 looking beautiful in the evening sunlight, 19:43

    20:53 She was calling for fish

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 21:02 NC0 was calling for fish. Laddie could be seen flying around the Loch by the birch area before landing on a low branch

    Minutes after, he moved further into the birch

    21:07 He flew out of there, low past the left side of the nest. NC0 continued to fish call

    His landing could be heard so was possibly on a nearby tree/branch. NC0 was still calling

    Just prior to night cam coming on, 21:26. Laddie had not returned to the nest

    NC0 at present, 21:44

    ©SWT/LotL

  • .

    26 April

    Ruining the chronology...

    In the midst of rescuing downloads when I heard a little chirp, this was the only one live so I checked back and this is what I found - nothing very dramatic:

  • Morning Scylla and All,

    Ruining the chronology...

    No worries Scylla! It's a super pic! Kissing heart

    Laddie arrived at 5:10 and stayed for 5 minutes or so - no change of incubation. NC0 was very 'chatty'

    The difference between their feathers, with NC0's being covered in frost

    5:15

    Laddie has not been back

    7:12

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 at present, 8:17

    No sighting of Laddie, hopefully he's out looking for NC0's breakfish!

    BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Afternoon,

    Laddie finally made an appearance back on the nest at 10:59, he did not bring a fish. NC0 was calling for one

    NC0 went off for a well-deserved break at 11:01

    NC0 returned at 11:32 with a small piece of bark gripped in her left talons

    She placed it to the left side of Laddie

    She flew off again, after a very brief visit, leaving Laddie to incubate for a little bit longer

    Laddie was tending to the eggs when NC0 came back again, just over a minute later (12:34) with some grass

    Laddie realised his time was up when she made her way to the nest cup

    Pic cropped - egg #3 top, egg #1 bottom left, egg #2 bottom right

    NC0 was telling Laddie she would like a fish

    Off he went at 11:45

    Laddie has not returned and NC0 has continued to incubate

    14:37

    ©SWT/LotL