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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  • Ooh have I missed a fish delivery?

    Hi Freebird,

    As Catlady said, no delivery to NC0 but he did come to the nest yesterday (17:17) with a headless fish. Our girl wasn't around, unfortunately.

  • Another dive by the male at 20:33

    Flying back to the birch

    He landed further to the left than his wings show here

    NC0 continued to call

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 20:38, The male left that area and landed back in view on the birch

    NC0 immediately flew off...

    ...and made her way to the nest

    She was very vocal

    The male then left the birch and made his way to the nest

    NC0 was extremely vocal

    I'll continue on the next post...more to add!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Cont'd...

    The male's talons were empty

    He did not land, instead the male flew over NC0

    Within moments, he came back into view, from the right

    Once again, the male flew over her! NC0 was continuing to call

    I did not hear him land on the cam post

    NC0 stood on the right side of the nest, still fish calling

    The male came back into view, flying off to the left

    He disappeared from cam view after this

    She called occasionally

    Then flew off at 20:46

    She landed on the birch

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 21:37, NC0 left the birch - the male could be seen flying high above. She landed back on the nest (calling), followed soon after by him

    He turned to the left (NC0 had headed left, out of cam view briefly here)

    NC0 was still shouting

    He turned

    Then he flew off...

    ...and could be seen making his flight across the Loch towards the birch

    He went around the corner

    NC0 called

    Then she flew away, back to the birch, at 21:39

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Calling, NC0 left the birch and returned to the nest at 22:14

    She turned herself around, still vocalising

    A quick preen

    Night cam came on at 22:17

    NC0 was quiet

    22:26

    More preening, 22:34

    At present, 00:06. NC0 has been sleeping, fully tucked, since 23:38

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 19th May

    Morning All,

    4:12 NC0 quietly calling before the day cam came on

    4:15 Still looking in the same direction

    She came onto the nest, calling loudly, at 4:20

    Nc0 became quiet and stood there looking around

    Then she flew off at 4:23

    ©SWT/LotL

  • It remained ENS until 7:07. Male flew from the birch, where he appeared to snap a stick from below it, before heading to the nest

    He made a couple of contact calls on landing

    He adjusted a stick

    After a single contact call, he flew off

    I could not hear NC0

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 8:24, NC0 was fish calling on the birch (I don't know how long she had been there)

    She flew from there 

    And went out of view, left, over the inlet. Her wing then appeared on the left side of the screen, it sounded as if she landed on the tree itself or the cam post - she was calling

    No visit to the nest. At present, 8:45

    Edit: 8:47 NC0 must have flown from there at some point as distant fish calling could be heard (she wasn't on the birch)

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 calling on cam post - then to the nest, 8:56

    She remained calling, then sky dancing heard! NC0 watched his 'performance'

    FISH!!!!!!!!! 8:59... only a tiddler but...! How high do decibel rates go? NC0's calls hit that mark! lol

    Hmm, the fish was a little bit more than a tiddler - possibly headless?

    She began to eat straightway

    Male flew off shortly after that

    But soon returned with a long stick. NC0 was enjoying her fish! lol

    He placed it

    9:05

    He flew off. NC0 continued to tuck in to her breakfish!

    9:16 Cleaning her talons after finishing the fish on the front of the nest...

    ...and calling for more!

    ©SWT/LotL