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
billy said:Totally agree about the clock
It doesn't need to be intrusive either - the bottom right-hand side of the screen would be ideal!
The male arrived with a stick at 17:28
He placed it on the front, right edge - it was dangling
He stood quietly checking the sky for a little while
Then he moved the thick stick, that had been on the right, onto the edge
He flew off almost 3 minutes later
He came back with a twig at 17:34
He made a contact call on landing
The male then quietly began to mantle and flap his wings
He posed in this position
All calm again - no threat seen or heard
Off he went at 17:37
Back he came again, at 17:42, with yet another stick!
More contact calls when landing
The extremely gusty conditions knocked him slightly him off balance
After a quick look, he flew away less that a minute after arriving
18:40 It has remained ENS
©SWT/LotL
20:30 It has continued to be ENS. The wind has now eased and it's turned out to be a beautiful, calm evening
NC0 is good at catching the large fish! Glad to see the wind has died down.
23:03 There have not been any visits to the nest by either NC0 or the male
Glider said:NC0 is good at catching the large fish! Glad to see the wind has died down
She really can, Glider. What a fab Osprey she is!
I was just going to post that night cam came on at 23:07, when NC0 landed on the perch at 23:08!
Night cam on
NC0 made contact calls to, and when she landed, on the perch
She didn't have any remaining fish with her
Her feet slipped on landing but she manage to right herself
She sat on there quietly looking around
A quick look down to the nest
Another look behind
She opened and closed her beak here as if she had just finished eating
Then she flew off directly to the right (the same direction as last night) at 23:13
23:47 NC0 has not returned
5th June
Morning All
6:50 No visits to the nest so far this morning (as far as I can tell)
6:54 A couple of (not loud) calls from NC0 heard from the cam post
6:56 A ruffle of feathers
6:57 flight away
A flight around the birch corner...
...then back to land on the birch
NC0 remained on the birch until 7:43ish
I lost sight of her (against the backdrop of the trees) as she flew down the inlet but then came back into view heading to, then past, the left side of the nest
Chipping heard afterwards
8:06 It's remained ENS. No movement or calling can be heard on the cam post
BFN
arrived a short while ago and still there as I type
EDIT flew at 12.38