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
Yes Sandra, that what I saw. Had just got back from Lunch so hadn't seen the preamble 10 minutes earlier. Thanks for pictures.
Thanks for the confirmation, Ash, and you're very welcome!
At last, a fish delivery at 14:35
NC0 was on the cam post. She made a few short calls before landing on the nest
Her calls became more intense as the male approached almost immediately
The fish was headless
She went straight to his talons
NC0 squealed in delight after transferring her meal into her left talons
Off she went
She landed under the feeding post on the birch
The male flapped over to the back of the nest and cleaned his beak
Another beak clean
And then a flight away at 14:37
©SWT/LotL
NC0 returned, calling, having eaten her fish, at 14:51. I assume it was the male on the birch
At present, 15:25. Both haven't moved from their positions. Guess what NC0 is doing? lol
The male had an almost 10 minute stick/moss/grass spree from 15:48
Grasses
NC0 went to approach him but then realised he hadn't brought a fish
Some moss
A stick
And another stick
I didn't see any mating attempts. The male hasn't returned
NC0 at present, 16:26. She is quiet
17:34 The male hadn't come back to the nest by the time NC0 headed up to the cam post. She had been standing very quietly. Unsure if that was an Osprey on the birch
She called at this point
No visits to the nest since then
18:57 ENS. It's still raining. I can't hear any movement or calling from the cam post
NC0 was shouting rather loudly on the cam post at 19:10. She came down to the nest
Her calls are still echoing around the reserve at 19:22
SWT/LotL
20:28 And still she calls! NC0 will make herself hoarse at this rate!
Edit: 20:30 She has just flown to her diving branch of the birch
20:34
She started to call at 20:35
20:37 NC0 left the birch and flew up to the cam post
20:53 She's still up there calling
21:19 There was a dive then a flight in the birch area. I assume this was the male. NC0 began screeching on the cam post
He carried on flying left
NC0 came down from the cam post, screeching
He came back into view, flew over the Loch then did a u-turn back towards the birch
He continued just past this area (his outline could be seen through the gap)
NC0 was still calling at 21:37. There was a flight from the birch area
He made a u-turn here
And landed on the birch
He's still there at 21:47