Continued from May 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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Since the 9th May, a dark, unringed male intruder (with a distinctive large pupil in his right eye and who the team at Lowes has estimated to be 2-3 years of age) has been a regular visitor to the nest. The Pale Male, who had ‘destroyed’ the three eggs on the 7th/8th May, has not been seen on camera again and it was mentioned that this new young male had chased him from the area.
He has delivered many small fish ‘gifts’ (three in one day on a couple of occasions) and a sizable larger one to NC0 - her calls expressed how grateful she was - but that did not stop her from catching her own huge meal on the 23rd May, to satisfy her appetite. His many mating attempts have so far been rejected by NC0 though this has not put him off from making continuous efforts. The Dark Intruder, as named by staff in the hides on the reserve, is showing great nest building skills - bringing in a multitude of various-sized sticks and soft nesting material.
Although the relationship is in its early stages, NC0 appears to have accepted him as a 'potential' future mate and they have been observed working as a team to defend the nest against seen, and unseen, intruders - all encouraging signs for the beginning of a possible new chapter here at Loch of the Lowes.
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
June to end of season Blogs and Updates (Published dates)
20.6.24: LotL Fb >>> Update re NC0, DI and two female nest intruders
4th June
Morning All
3:29 NC0's calls could be heard echoing around the reserve before she landed on the nest
She moved onto the perch
Day cam came on at 3:40
At 4:04, she was shouting and flew off to the birch
NC0 lef the birch and made a flight down the inlet
Within moments, she landed on the cam post, making a few contact calls
Checking through the footage, it has remained ENS
At present, 7:31. No movement or calling heard on the cam post
©SWT/LotL
Still ENS, 8:08, and it's quiet on the cam post. Strange not to see the male at the nest so far
BFN
NCO with big fish to nest at 10ish. Male arrived about 10mins later (NCO had left with fish) with stick and started eating some leftovers
Apologies for photos being in wrong order
12.22 Male brings stick to nest
billy said:NCO with big fish to nest at 10ish. Male arrived about 10mins later (NCO had left with fish) with stick and started eating some leftovers
Hi Belinda,
Many thanks!
NC0's fish was caught on the reserve, I think. It was very much alive and her feathers were soaked, as shown in your fab pic! She was not on the birch beforehand. (I made the time out to be 9:04ish? Oh I wish there was an on-screen clock! lol)
She made a series of contact calls prior to, and on landing
She gave herself a good shake!
Initially, the male brought a headless fish to the nest at 9:42 while NC0 was still tucking in
He watched NC0 eating (or he was eyeing up the size of her fish!)
For a very brief moment, they 'dined' together
At 9:45 He flew off the nest, leaving his fish in situ
It wasn't long until a crow appeared. NC0 'grunted' at it several times in annoyance and as a warning - it wasn't going to be deterred from taking a free-meal
It went to the perch before landing on the left edge of the nest
It grabbed hold of the fish tail in its beak
Dragged it across the nest
And flew off with it!
At 10:10, NC0 was shouting
And flew off with her fish
As you had said, the male arrived with a stick at 10:18
He noticed the fish remnant on landing (your pic showed him eating it)
billy said:Apologies for photos being in wrong order
No problem, Belinda!
billy said:12.22 Male brings stick to nest
Apart from a crow pottering around looking for scraps, and moving sticks and nesting material about, it has been ENS since that time
15:40 At present
16:20 It has remained ENS (and an extremely gusty wind at Lowes) but wanted to state that 'pagination' is now at both the top and bottom of the thread pages!
Totally agree about the clock