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
NC0 back on the nest, 11:23. She came down from the cam post
A quick roll of the eggs then settled to incubate
©SWT/LotL
Catch up at 12:15: There have been a couple of intrusions since my last post (Edit: make that 3)
12:03 NC0 chipped and alarm called prior to this intruder coming into view
BTO ring only, on right leg?
Cropped pic
It landed. Its right eye appeared to be 'normal'
A different intruder appeared very shortly after. NC0 had remained standing of the edge of the nest
No rings
It landed on the perch
Back of head markings - the regular visitor?
NC0 flapped it off
And again, after she had settled on the eggs. No rings
It didn't settle long enough to get a head marking ID
It flew off to the right
By my reckoning, these three intrusions occurred within 5 minutes!
Osprey landed about 13.17 and NCO was calling but tolerated it to a point
Thanks Belinda!
Cam zoomed in
NC0 flapped her wings
No rings on its legs
It appeared to do several few crop drops
It flew off at 13:20ish
The latest visitor (no eye blemish)
Well now, similar back of head markings but a different Osprey than the 'regular visitor'. Many thanks Hawk Willow!
Edit: Perhaps this was the second Osprey from the earlier trio of intrusions?
14:20 It is raining
Edit: 14:24 It's pouring down now!
14:26
NC0 went off for a comfort break at 14:47 - the rain had eased (if not stopped) at that point
As of 14:55, she has still not returned
15:02 I think NC0 is on the cam post, a ruffle of feathers heard
He looks very striking!
Agreed Sandra the winner of the heart of our lovely lady needs to come up with a great big whopper for starters.... Then another for main and dessert lol!
Yes it does feel there is closure for waiting for Laddie albeit possibly the worst kind! The next update will be interesting however nothing takes away from what you said Sandra, he will always be the male of the Lowes and it'll be his nest, just that someone else is borrowing it!