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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

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...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, he is very attractive, Ash Slight smile

  • 9:42 ENS at present. NC0 is on the cam post, calling occasionally

    I'm out for the day. BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Not been able to keep too close of an eye on things. Both NC0 and male have been to the nest separately on a few occasions, however around 5:15 NC0 was fish calling and was rewarded at 5:25 with a small fish. 

  • Many thanks, Ash! Ok hand

    I've just been scrolling through the footage and noted that the male had brought some sticks to the nest this afternoon, a lot of the time it has been ENS.

    The male came to the nest at 14:09, there was a possible passing through intruder - no alarm calling or chipping from him

    He mantled

    Checked the sky

    Looked to his left

    Then flew off

    He was back a couple of times with sticks at 15:23 and 15:26

    NC0 arrived landed at 16:50

    Sky dancing heard

    She called as she watched the sky (not really clear but her left eye band was showing here as she tilted her head to look)

    16:54 It was quite windy. NC0 was quiet for a moment

    Then began calling again

    17:15

    Spot on with the time, Ash! SmileyThumbsup A small headless fish delivered at 17:25

    NC0 was very vocal before taking the fish off nest

    She flew up...

    Then headed downwards

    Over the inlet

    Towards the birch and then behind it (marked)

    The male cleaned his beak

    And again

    Before he too flew away, heading left

    Edit: 20:07 I can't find anymore visits to the nest since then

    ©SWT/LotL 

  • 21:16 NC0 just landed, with a chirp, onto the perch. She had flown from around the birch corner

    She turned around

    Preening

    21:26 After quietly looking around...

    She flew in a downwards direction, to the left

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 22:06 NC0 distantly calling from somewhere - not on view 

    Edit: The calling couldn't be heard a couple of minutes after that

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 22:29 No-one on view and no calling heard

    Night cam on at 22:31

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 26th May

    Morning All

    The cam went down at some point

    New YT URL (from 7:17)

  • When I checked the cam at 23:30 last night, it was still ENS

    7:17 NC0 was standing quietly on the nest, looking around, at the beginning of the new stream

    7:23 She did a lovely overhead wing stretch and then flew off

    Her talons caught a left edge rail stick...

    And it fell overboard

    It remained ENS until NC0 landed a short time ago, 9:01, loudly calling for fish. It's been raining

    At present, 9:05

    ©SWT/LotL

  • A small, headless fish delivered at 9:28

    A crow was sitting on top of a tree behind the nest

    She took it behind the area marked

    The male cleaned his beak

    He flew off to the birch at 9:32

    He was only on there for a minute or two before flying off around the birch corner, dipping his talons a few times in the Loch as he went

    ©SWT/LotL