LOCH OF THE LOWES - May 2024

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  Broken heart

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 

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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

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  • 20:25 NC0 off for a comfort break. Could hear drops of rain but they could have been falling from the leaves of the tree

    She looked around prior to rising up from the eggs

    She gave her wings a good flap

    NC0 after shaking off the rain from her head and body

    She could be seen flying over the Loch towards the birch, where she then landed

    NC0 is still on the birch at present, 20:48. The rain has stopped

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Thanks Sandra for all the updates. 

    21:52  checking again before I close down for the night and NCO's still away. 

    As much as it pains me saying so -  it's for the best.

  • At 20:59, NC0 flew off low from her position on the birch, down towards the water but didn't dive, just a turn around flight to land onto her diving branch

    She returned from there for a less than two minute visit to the perch at 21:22

    She gave herself a shake

    After a quick look around, she left the perch, landing back on her diving branch of the birch

      

    She came back to the perch at 21:31

    She headed off a minute later

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Thanks Sandra for all the updates. 

    21:52  checking again before I close down for the night and NCO's still away. 

    As much as it pains me saying so -  it's for the best

    A pleasure, Karen,

    I thought it was the beginning of her abandoning the eggs BUT, she returned to the perch at 21:58 then back to incubating the eggs. And yes, I agree, it would be for the best 

    22:00

    She rolled the eggs, which I'd imagine are quite chilled with the length of time NC0 had been away from them. The nest cup must be quite damp too

    Then settled down

    A cropped pic of her sleeping at present, 22:18 Two hearts

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 6th May

    Morning All,

    NC0 went for a comfort break to the birch at 5:04

    She was back just under 5 minutes later

    She was off again at 5:48 - once again to the birch

    She returned at 6:12, a little visitor was flitting about on the nest as she left the birch

    NC0 was up and alarm calling at 7:07

    Intruder hovered over the nest

    7:16 NC0 was fish calling. Nothing in view

    At 7:59 NC0 left for another break - she did not go to the birch

    The eggs were alone for almost an hour when NC0 came down from the cam post at 8:58

    Edit: NC0 was on alert at 9:07 - nothing seen

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 9:30 NC0 has been fish calling on occasion

      

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Thanks Sandra.

    Think fair to assume now the eggs are no longer viable. It sort of makes it easier seeing them abandoned.   

  • Morning Karen,

    Yes, I'd imagine the same. I'd rather NC0 stay at the nest though, I don't want her to lose control of it.

  • 9:35 Intrusion

    It touched down briefly

    And away

    I think both intrusions so far this morning, have been by the same pale chested visitor as yesterday

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Hi Sandra, I don't think she'll leave her nest as it is hers now. She'll remain put x