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
18:59 NC0 came back onto the nest, down from the cam post. Goodness, was she shouting!
The male left the birch at 19:04...
...and headed off around the birch corner
At present, 19:23, NC0 calling occasionally
©SWT/LotL
At 19:37, NC0 flew off to the birch
She made her way back to the nest after seeing the male appear, flying low out from the birch area. NC0 was calling
He made a u-turn here. NC0 left the birch
He could be seen continuing to fly to the left, behind the birch. NC0's reflection in this pic
She landed back on the nest, calling
19:52
19:54 NC0 prepared herself in readiness for a fish delivery...the male arrived, something gripped in his left talons?
She collected a fish
NC0 had a fish in her beak here
Eating a morsel
She picked it up in her beak...gosh, it was tiny and headless!
She ate immediately
The male left at 19:55
She had the fish tail in her beak
And proceeded to swallow it
NC0 called for more as he landed on the birch
NC0 wandered over to the left edge of the nest. She bent down and found some fish skin? among the sticks
She took a bite and ate it
The male left the birch at 19:58
He dipped his talons in the Loch...
Before heading flying behind the birch
The male delivered another fish at 21:12
He flew low out of the birch area. NC0 called loudly when she noticed him
It was still alive
He gave his head a shake
Then left the nest
He went behind the birch
NC0 tucked in to her supper
Swallowing the fish tail at 21:16
Cleaning her talons
She then called for more
The male landed on NC0's diving branch of the birch at 21:24. NC0 called
He remained on there until 22:15
She thought he was coming to see her and moved towards the centre of the nest in anticipation...
But he flew down the inlet until out of cam view
I think her calls were asking him where he was going! lol
22:31 NC0 was calling and she flapped onto the perch
She called from there too
NC0 only stayed on there for about a minute before flying off
She could be seen having a flight around before landing back on the perch at 22:34
Night cam came on at 22:38
NC0 has remained on the perch. Sleeping tucked in currently, 23:35
30th May
Morning All
The male had another early morning stick spree from 5:27 until 5:34. NC0 had just landed on the nest from the cam post when the first one was brought in. She called for fish on each occasion
Long and licheny (ends marked to show its length)
Small and thin
Small and thick
His next appearance wasn't until 7:29. NC0, who had remained waiting on the nest, was once again fish calling when the male brought this one
She stayed on the right side of the nest until flying off at 8:00 - still calling
She flew left, behind the birch
No vocalising from NC0 was heard when the male carried in another stick at 8:08
He made a couple of contact calls on landing
Back with a small stick at 8:12. NC0 was still not around
He did some nest tidying
Sorting out a thin stick
The male was quiet as he looked around
Then left the nest at 8:15
He headed left, out of cam view
9:17 It has remained ENS since then. No movement or calling heard on the cam post. I wonder if NC0 has gone fishing?
The male paid a 4 minute visit to the nest at 9:59. He brought a small stick and then proceeded to do some nest tidying. It's quite windy today!
He re-adjusted the first stick he brought in this morning
A brief pause to look around
A thin twig was put on the edge
Another look around
A rail stick needed re-adjusting too
Time to move some moss
Looking around again
And away at 10:03
10:37 It's remained ENS since he left.
No calling from NC0 at all during his visit or up to now
A male Redstart was flitting about, and singing, on and around the nest at 10:45
The male is doing a good job with his nest building, just needs to work on catching larger fish for NC0!
The little redstart is so pretty. I wonder if she’s got chicks on a nest nearby? ️
Glider said:The male is doing a good job with his nest building, just needs to work on catching larger fish for NC0! The little redstart is so pretty. I wonder if she’s got chicks on a nest nearby?
The little redstart is so pretty. I wonder if she’s got chicks on a nest nearby?
Hi Glider,
Yes, he is doing a great job with sorting out the nest. I've noticed, on a few occasions, that he has a quick look at it to make sure it's all 'ship-shape' (or what may be required!) before he leaves.
That was the male Redstart and it would be lovely if he and a female had a nest somewhere. His song is quite beautiful
13:06 There have been no Osprey visits to the nest since the male flew off at 10:03 (as far as I can tell)
Aw, the male is really investing in this nest. It’s quite a perfect circle of twigs around the nest cup.
I had heard of redstarts before but it’s only due to people identifying them on Osprey nests such as here that I can now see them and listen to their beautiful song. ️ Thank you Sandra.