Continued from April 2024
Webcam page with links to LotL Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve FB, Twitter, Blogs, 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 or >>> Embedded YT link
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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Three beautiful eggs were laid from mid-April, with the final one arriving almost 10 hours later than NC0’s usual 72 hour 'cycle'.
Both Laddie and NC0 have had to defend the nest from many 'passing through' intruders. Could Laddie’s defence of the reserve be the reason why there has been no sighting of him on the webcam since early lunchtime on the 28th? There were a few occasions where there was a high likelihood that he may have been in NC0’s sight since then though, her loud fish calls alerted us to that probable fact.
With NC0’s last meal being delivered on the 27th, we can only hope that Laddie arrives home not only fit and well, but also with a well-deserved fish for such an amazing female Osprey – her endeavours to keep the eggs protected, warm and dry during his absence, have been truly remarkable!
As I write, it has been just over 60 hours without Laddie at the nest and we now wait, in anticipation, for a positive start to this new month...
*UPDATED 4.5.23: Heartbroken to report, that there was very sadly no positive news forthcoming regarding our dear Laddie...
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Nest Updates
Arrival dates: NC0(16) - 8.3.24 (17:52) Laddie (LM12) - 27.3.24 (16:38) RIP Laddie (LM12) - remains found 3.5.24
Eggs laid: Egg #1 - 17.4.24 (10:48) Egg #2 - 20.4.24 (10:53) Egg #3 - 23.4.24 (20:47)
*Two eggs were destroyed on 7.5.24; the third one on 8.5.24, by an unringed, Pale Male Osprey. All were deemed unviable due to being chilled and left for long periods without incubation
Links to blogs and updates during March, April
May Blogs and Updates (published dates)
2.5.24: LotL Facebook >>> Situation with regards to Laddie's absence
3.5.24: LotL Facebook >>> Update from the nest
3.5.24: LotL Blog (updated at 9pm on 4.5.24) >>> Loch of the Lowes osprey nest update
4.5.24: LotL Facebook >>> It is with a very heavy heart...
7.5.24: SWT/LotL News >>> Osprey LM12 found dead
7.5.24: LotL Blog >>> The start of a new osprey era at Lowes?
10.5.24: LotL Blog >>> Intruding Ospreys Make a Move
13.5.24: LotL Facebook >>> A lot has been happening...
15.5.24: STV News Report - North East and Tayside >>> Police say no criminality after death of YouTube star osprey 'Laddie' *Nothing 'official' from SWT/Lowes*
20.5.24: Article from raptorpersecutionuk.org >>> Update on death of Osprey ‘Laddie’ from Loch of the Lowes Reserve in Perthshire (Link provided by SheilaFE - with grateful thanks)
21.5.24: LotL Blog >>> Skydancing, Nestorations and Fish – Positive News from the Nest (Four SWT videos included)
30.5.24: LotL Blog >>> Fish, ‘Flowers’ and the Battle of Blue ‘7C1’ – An Update from the Osprey Nest
Such good news about NCO getting the fish but not about no Laddie ... very sad to think about her pairing up with a new male with the high probability of having the eggs kicked out
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Hi Wendy,
NC0 has got to be the priority now, as much as I am utterly heartbroken about Laddie. It would be hard to fish and take care of any chicks so, as it very much saddens me to say, it would be best that the eggs do not hatch - whether she was to abandon them or having the possibility of them being destroyed by any prospecting male.
15:06 She's being pestered by crows
BBS
©SWT/LotL
Cam zoomed in at 15:07
15:12 NC0 released the fish from her talons and settled on the eggs
Cam panned back out at 15:29
So glad NCO has fed herself and I agree if Laddie doesn’t return .. it would be best if the eggs don’t hatch
At 15:30, NC0 got up and picked up some fish innards (I think) in her beak
After transferring it into her talons, she flew off
About 30 seconds later, she flew from left to right past the back of the nest...
Then back to land with it still in her talons
A crow followed her
She grunted and flapped her wings as it landed on the perch
She settled on the eggs (and fish)
The crow eventually flew off at 15:37
ailie said:So glad NCO has fed herself and I agree if Laddie doesn’t return .. it would be best if the eggs don’t hatch
Hello Ailie,
Yes, absolutely...
15:40 NC0 picked up the fish innards again
And flew off
She could be seen flying over the nest a short time after
NC0 landed with it still in her talons
She went back to the fish...
And after some bites, settled back on the eggs
A crow was back on the perch at 16:03
After much waiting, and with grunts and squeaks from NC0, it flew off at 16:06
Not for long though as it appeared on the front edge of the nest
She flapped it away (with squeaks and grunts) when it appeared again on the front, centre edge of the nest
Back to incubating
In between then and when NC0 began tucking in to the fish again (16:39), a crow had been on the back edge of the nest (the latter not shown)
Back to the eggs at 16:43
The crow was back at 16:53 for a minute or so, NC0 sounded her displeasure
NC0, at present, 17:10