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
18:01 It's raining. NC0 still waiting for a fish delivery (if the male does indeed have one to make)
©SWT/LotL
19:12 NC0 looking completely fed up waiting (silently) in the rain
NC0 flew off to the birch at 19:40. She had been fish calling beforehand
She's still there, quiet at present, 19:54
Edit: 19:54 A couple crows flew across the Loch and landed on the birch too
20:20 It is teeming down with rain!
21:08 NC0 flew from the birch. I thought she was going to make a dive at first...
But instead, made a u-turn to head back towards the birch
She could be seen here through the gap and continued flying to the left
21:20 Not much chance of seeing if she is back on there at the moment, rain blobs on the cam
There were no more visits to the nest
At around 22:25, there was a landing on the birch. No vocalisations heard
It was still there just before night cam came on at 22:27
23:45 ENS
27th May
Morning All
NC0 landed on the perch at 3:26
Pre day cam, 3:53
She remained on there until 4:53 when she flew up to the cam post. NC0 had been calling for fish
At 5:18, the male delivered a headless fish. She came down from the cam post to receive her breakfish
WOW - it was the largest fish he's delivered to her so far! Had he found a different fishing spot?
He cleaned his beak as NC0 let everyone around the reserve know that she had a fish!
NC0 carried it off to the birch...
And landed in the area under the feeding post
Unsure if the male was spooked by something, but he looked in this direction and shot off the nest
Good morning Sandra, wow, the male will get brownie points for that fish and it was nice and early too.
It had remained ENS after the male had flown off
7:30 NC0 landed on the birch, vocalising
She stayed there for a couple of minutes before heading towards the nest
No fish in her talons. It had been over 2 and a quarter hours since her breakfish had been delivered, so ample time for her to have eaten it
She landed on the cam post, making a contact call
7:36 NC0 was on the cam post, quietly chattering, when the male brought a small stick to the nest. He'd flown from around the birch corner
A quick glance up at her
Then another
He flew off to the left after a brief visit
He was back a couple of minutes later with another small stick. NC0 was still quietly chatting
He rearranged a stick
He glance up towards her
Then off he went again at 7:40
7:43 A twiggy stick was next to be brought to the nest,
More stick rearranging
And after some general nest tidying, flew off at 7:46
9:11(ish) we had an intruder, 7C1 was on the nest with the male. Was reported in UK ospreys on FB. They fly off and come back almost immediatly.