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
Afternoon,
An unringed intruder came to the nest at 10:13 this morning
NC0 was on the birch chipping/alarm calling. The male landed
The intruder over the nest. All the while, NC0 was shouting
There was almost a clash
It flew up and away briefly before coming back to land
The male hovered on the left and flew off
NC0 was making her way back to the nest
NC0 incoming, left
It took off
NC0 mantled and chipped
She shouted
She was calm prior to leaving at 10:16
©SWT/LotL
The intruder landed on the nest again at 10:20
The male landed with a stick, chipping could be heard just prior to him arriving
He was very much on alert
He flapped his wings
As the male flew off, the intruder was approaching the nest
It came down to land
But then flew around to land again
It stood on the nest looking around
Chipping heard
It made several contact calls
It flew off at 10:23
I'll add a little bit more to this occurrence on my next post
Cont'd...
It wasn't long until the male arrived
He mantled
Loud chipping and a series of short alarm chips heard (sounded as if it came from above the cam) and he flew off
There was a flight towards the nest
It was NC0
She chipped
And eventually calmed down
NC0 remained silently on guard until leaving at 10:38
It was back to 'normal service resumed' at 13:19 when NC0 was fish calling when the male landed on the nest
The cam zoomed in at 13:23 just as the male was leaving...
But he came back immediately, possibly an attempt to mate. The cam panned out slightly hence the blur
The cam zoomed in again
He male raised his wings
But didn't fly off
NC0 continued to call for fish
He then flew off
Cam panned back out at 13:25
NC0 left at 13:33 - still calling!
As far as I can tell, it remained ENS until the male paid a brief visit, at 16:46, with a headless fish!
He quietly looked for NC0 to appear
Cropped pic to show the fish
Then flew off with it
It has remained ENS since then
17:45
Mines bigger than yours - NCO showing how it's done
Haha Belinda! She’ll need to show him the best fishing spots!
billy said:Mines bigger than yours - NCO showing how it's done
Oh my goodness! Thanks Belinda!
it was at 18:58 when NC0 landed with her fish, closely followed in by the male
He looked over to her fish
He rubbed his left eye
He left the nest, around a minute later, hopefully to finish off his meal
Awww, the poor boy must have been hanging on to his fish since 16:46, waiting for NC0 to arrive at the nest
NC0's voice sounded rather hoarse/quiet/different, I thought?
The male returned to the nest at 19:23, fishless. NC0 had been taking a nap just prior to him landing
He had a nice, full crop
NC0 was giving short, squeaky vocals. He looked towards the fish
He looked at the fish again
The male turned
Another look
He looked down towards the limb of the nest tree
And flew down towards it
He landed on it
I think he had some fish in his talon at 19.00
billy said:I think he had some fish in his talon at 19.00
Yes he did, Belinda, but he came back again at 19:23, hopefully having eaten it