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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  • Yes Sandra, that what I saw. Had just got back from Lunch so hadn't seen the preamble 10 minutes earlier. Thanks for pictures.

  • Thanks for the confirmation, Ash, and you're very welcome! Grinning

  • At last, a fish delivery at 14:35

    NC0 was on the cam post. She made a few short calls before landing on the nest

    Her calls became more intense as the male approached almost immediately

    The fish was headless

    She went straight to his talons

    NC0 squealed in delight after transferring her meal into her left talons

    Off she went

    She landed under the feeding post on the birch

    The male flapped over to the back of the nest and cleaned his beak

    Another beak clean

    And then a flight away at 14:37

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 returned, calling, having eaten her fish, at 14:51. I assume it was the male on the birch

    At present, 15:25. Both haven't moved from their positions. Guess what NC0 is doing? lol

    ©SWT/LotL

  • The male had an almost 10 minute stick/moss/grass spree from 15:48

    Grasses

    NC0 went to approach him but then realised he hadn't brought a fish

    Some moss

    A stick

    And another stick

    I didn't see any mating attempts. The male hasn't returned

    NC0 at present, 16:26. She is quiet

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 17:34 The male hadn't come back to the nest by the time NC0 headed up to the cam post. She had been standing very quietly. Unsure if that was an Osprey on the birch

    She called at this point

    No visits to the nest since then

    18:57 ENS. It's still raining. I can't hear any movement or calling from the cam post

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 was shouting rather loudly on the cam post at 19:10. She came down to the nest

    Her calls are still echoing around the reserve at 19:22

    SWT/LotL

  • 20:28 And still she calls! NC0 will make herself hoarse at this rate!

    Edit: 20:30 She has just flown to her diving branch of the birch

    20:34 

    She started to call at 20:35

    SWT/LotL

  • 20:37 NC0 left the birch and flew up to the cam post

    20:53 She's still up there calling

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 21:19 There was a dive then a flight in the birch area. I assume this was the male. NC0 began screeching on the cam post

    He carried on flying left

    NC0 came down from the cam post, screeching

    He came back into view, flew over the Loch then did a u-turn back towards the birch

    He continued just past this area (his outline could be seen through the gap)

    NC0 was still calling at 21:37. There was a flight from the birch area

    He made a u-turn here

    And landed on the birch

    He's still there at 21:47

    ©SWT/LotL