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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  • Gosh, it was a brief visit wasn't it, well under 30 seconds! Thank you Belinda! 

    19:00 Moments beforehand, there was a flight over the left side of the nest (it went high, out of cam view but appeared to be heading left)

    Could it have been the Dark Male flying, to then make his approach to the nest on the left?

    He chipped on landing

    He stared quietly towards the other side of the Loch, as shown in Belinda's pic

    Then, after glancing over to the birch...

    He flew off

    He headed directly to the left after this pic

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Came from birch to catch fish about 8.29

  • Certainly heard that splashdown, Belinda! lol

    Probably unsuccessful. It landed back on the birch shortly after its dive, having flown off around the corner

    However, it didn't stay there long at all and flew off around the corner again, 20:32ish

    Dipping its talons on the way

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 20:42, it was already back on the birch and could be heard fish calling. Its voice was rather loud, so hopefully it was NC0

    It left there at 20:45 and headed in the direction of the nest

    It flew past and out of cam view

    A flight from the inlet to the birch at 21:23

    Still there at 22:02, calling for fish

    Edit: The calling stopped at 22:05

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 17th May

    Morning All,

    Oh my, NC0 spent the night on the perch! 

    She arrived at 00:15. She landed with a chirp

    She was soon sleeping

    1:23

    A couple of stretches at 3:12

    3:52

    3:54

    4:42 She was on the nest

    At 4:54, she flew up to the cam post

    TBC on next post

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Cont'd...

    4:59 NC0 fish called before landing back on the nest

    More fish calling

    Then, the Dark Male landed with a small stick

    NC0 approached him, still vocalising

    He flew off at 5:02

    He passed the trees at the back of the nest and headed down the inlet

    He made a u-turn towards the trees

    At 5:08 NC0 flew up to the cam post

    It has remained ENS since then BUT, I did hear movement on the cam post at 7:10 and 7:27. NC0 called at 7:29

    Scene at present, 7:58. Unsure if NC0 is still on the cam post

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Cont'd...

    4:59 NC0 fish called before landing back on the nest

    More fish calling

    Then, the Dark Male landed with a small stick

    NC0 approached him, still vocalising

    He flew off at 5:02

    He passed the trees at the back of the nest and headed down the inlet

    He made a u-turn towards the trees

    At 5:08 NC0 flew up to the cam post

    It has remained ENS since then BUT, I did hear movement on the cam post at 7:10 and 7:27. NC0 called at 7:29

    Scene at present, 7:58. Unsure if NC0 is still on the cam post

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 8:14 It is still the same scene.

    Off to work very soon, BFN

  • Thanks for all the pictures Sandra! Lovely to see NC0