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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  • 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

    It took off

    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

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL

  •   

    Mines bigger than yours - NCO showing how it's done 

  • Haha Belinda! Joy
    She’ll need to show him the best fishing spots!

  • 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 Disappointed

    NC0's voice sounded rather hoarse/quiet/different, I thought? 

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 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

    ©SWT/LotL

  • I think he had some fish in his talon at 19.00

  • 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