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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
15:39 NC0 has not returned to the nest at all since leaving
15:40 I've just heard another ruffle of feathers!
©SWT/LotL
NC0 down from the cam post, 15:46 - 1 minute short of her being off the eggs for an hour
15:54 Unringed intruder landed on the left edge of the nest, NC0 shouted and flapped it away. Was it the same one that spent time on the perch this at lunchtime?
It was carrying a thin, curved twig/stick in its talons!
Cropped pic
Very pale chested
It hadn't left though, as it then hovered above the nest before flying off to the birch
NC0 began to fish call after this
Edit: The intruder left the birch and flew around the corner at 15:59ish
NC0 went for a comfort break at 16:56
She returned to the perch at 17:05
She preened
Back to the eggs at 17:07
A roll of the eggs then settled down
NC0 at present, 17:33
I put my tablet off early evening yesterday and did not come back here for any updates before hand, and a Sunday I am not home until dinner time. It was on reading a paper in my folks about the find of an Osprey near Lowes and only now getting caught up to date. Sandra and all, I am so devastated to read this news, it is awful and so tragic. If this has been deliberate, I so hope, the person/s are caught and severely dealt with. We follow these birds and become attached to them all, some are favourites, we wait anxiously each year to see if they come back, then wait in excitement to see if eggs will be laid, then hatch, then wait and watch that 1st fly off from the nest, they all leave and the wait starts all over, until next year comes around. When we loose them, it is heartbreaking. I hope now that our girl will accept one of these fellows as her new partner, the sooner the better. Possibly no eggs this year but if they bode well together, it should look good for another year. Sharing the sadness with you all. CL x
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Thank you so much for your beautifully written words, Catlady
Lowes have commented on the replies section of yesterday's Fb post
Sandra said:Thank you so much for your beautifully written words, Catlady
You are welcome Sandra x
Says it all Catlady
19:46 NC0 has not moved from this position since returning from her comfort break at 17:07
It has been raining since 17:38, heavily from around 18:30 to now