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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  • Good morning Sandra, wow, the male will get brownie points for that fish and it was nice and early too

    Morning Glider,

    A fab fish from him wasn't it! Was it a salmon or a trout? The flesh was very orange/pink. I think that will keep NC0 happy...for a while! lol Wink

  • All 3 on the nest around 9:18. NC0 then proceeds to divebomb the intruder.

  • Sorry for my ignorance. Is 7CI male or female please?

  • 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.

    Gosh, thanks Ash!  Appeared to be a very dark female, English or Welsh bird with the Darvic on the right leg

  • Is 7CI male or female please?

    Hi Julie,

    I'd imagine a female with such a dark necklace like that

  • Someone replied to the post on FB saying the following (don't know the rules on posting other content so I have anonomised it)

  • 10:04 NC0 and 7C1 are both back

  • That's fabulous info, Ash! Gosh, so she's prospecting Scotland now! Yes, most definitely like dearly missed Mrs G! Many thanks Thumbsup

  • 9:11(ish) we had an intruder, 7C1 was on the nest with the male

    Events prior to that, from 9:00

    NC0 down from the cam post on alert

    NC0 alarm called

    The male joined her briefly to help defend the nest at 9:03

    He came back, 9:05

    7C1 then flew over the nest. NC0 almost went over the edge as she approached

    The male left

    7C1 flew around behind the nest

    Then came back to land on the nest

    7C1 flew off

    She flew off to the right, over the trees

    NC0 was still on alert

    And flew off less than a minute later

    The male arrived with a stick at 9:10

    He mantled when a landing on the cam post was heard

    7C1 landed on the nest from there

    Additional pic from Ash on previous page, with thanks!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • All 3 on the nest around 9:18. NC0 then proceeds to divebomb the intruder

    7C1 had remained on the nest. She made a few low sounding chips as NC0 approached

    NC0 made low sounding alarm chipping vocalisations

    The cam zoomed in

    The cam was panned out slightly

    NC0 raised her wings

    Then launched herself towards 7C1

    NC0 flew off

    The male flew off as NC0 made her approach to the nest to dive bomb 7C1

    NC0 headed to the left

    7C1 flew off to the left

    It wasn't long before the male landed

    He flew off as 7C1 came back to the nest

    Who was she looking at?

    She flew off

    Bottom right of pic here

    NC0 landed

    7C1 came back

    NC0 flew up

    Then back down

    Then away

    NC0 could then be seen flying from left to right over the Loch before...

    She dive bombed her again

    7C1 flew off as NC0 just before NC0 flew over the nest

    NC0's wing tip, top centre

    The male landed at 9:24

    7C1 joined him

    NC0 dive bombed again

    Both the male and 7C1 flew off

    The male headed left

    ©SWT/LotL