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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  • NC0 back to the nest, at 9:44, having eaten her breakfish

    She called for more

    She cleaned her talons

    More calling

    NC0 quiet at present, 10:03

    Edit: Calling again, on occasion, 10:07

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 10:34 NC0 became very excited, expecting a fish delivery. The male could be seen flying from around the corner 

    He flew behind the birch

    10:41 Back in her original position, calling for fish

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A second headless fish delivery at 10:42 - well done, him!

    NC0 took a few bites of the fish

    She changed her position, vocalising

    The male flew off, 10:44

    NC0 followed suit just as he was about to land on the low, sticky up perch of the birch

    She landed within the area marked

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 could be heard calling before leaving the birch area at 10:52

    She arrived back at the nest, no fish in her talons. The male was still in his position

    She called

    And cleaned her beak

    At present, 11:25. NC0 vocalising occasionally

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 left the nest at 11:55

    And flew into the birch area marked

    The male left his position on the birch perch a little while after...then he decided to do a 5 minute stick-fest!

    A small one at 11:59

    A long, thin twiggy one at 12:01

    At 12:04, a shorter one

    NC0 returned to the nest from the birch area at 12:12. The male was on the birch

    12:15 She preened

    NC0 fish calling,at the moment, 12:28

    I'm off for a little while. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 13:44 NC0 became extremely vocal when she saw the male approaching the nest

    He brought a stick

    He left

    13:45 NC0 yawned

    She flew off at 13:46 - she headed left over the inlet, out of cam view

    Within a couple of minutes, the male appeared to land onto the nest from the cam post, he had a stick in his talons

    He placed it on the back, left edge of the nest

    He looked to the left - NC0 could be heard calling in the distance

    Off he went at 13:49

    I lost sight of him after this

    ©SWT/LotL

  • It remained ENS until NC0, who was extremely wet, landed at 14:33

    The male followed immediately

    She gave her feathers a shake

    NC0 vocalised. The male turned

    She began to preen, then...

    ...he made an attempt to mate - it took 3 pecks by NC0 to get him off

    He hovered then tried again - NC0 was having none of it!

    He landed back on the nest

    NC0 was vocal as he flew off

    NC0 continued to preen

    The male returned at 14:37

    NC0 fish called

    He looked so small in comparison to NC0's 'puffed-up' state

    He flew off after less than a minute

    14:40 After more preening, NC0 flew onto the perch. The male was on the birch

    She preened some more while on there

    NC0 fish called before finally leaving the nest at 14:44

    She headed over the inlet, and out of cam view

    It remained ENS after that

    At present, 15:38, NC0 is on the cam post calling (I don't know when the male left the birch)

    BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • It's been ENS since my last post. Not sure if this is significant or if they were even Ospreys?!

    16:22 A flight over the Loch - there wasn't any calling from the cam post

    It headed to, and landed within, the birch

    Almost immediately, a bird could be seen flying down the inlet

    17:06 Just as I was typing, NC0 landed on the nest from the cam post

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Cont'd...

    17:06 NC0 called just prior to coming into view

    17:12 She is shouting for fish, at present

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 17:16 I assume this was the male flying out of the inlet towards the birch. NC0 became very loud! A crow (highlighted yellow) was flying across the Loch

    I lost sight of him after this

    The crow landed here

    17:31 NC0 still shouting

    ©SWT/LotL