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
11th June
Morning All
She remained on the nest until 6:04 when after a leg and wing stretch...
And an overhead wing stretch
She flew off
NC0 was back at 6:18 after coming down from the cam post (she'd only landed on that moments before) - she was fish calling
The male made his first appearance at 6:51, he hovered, NC0 lifted her wing to avert him from landing on her
NC0 called for fish
He left at 6:54
He was back at 7:00 with a stick
And left at 7:02
The male has not returned. NC0, quiet at present, 7:42 - it's breezy
©SWT/LotL
NC0 flew off at 7:52
Returning with a small stick a few minutes later
At 8:08, she was preparing for a fish delivery but the male landed with some moss
He didn't stay long
NC0 at present, 8:14
Edit: Just as I posted the male returned with a small stick
BFN
Thanks Sandra for all the coverage.
NCO and this male certainly appear to be forming a bond. Next year is going to be interesting here.
It is wonderful to see. Am thinking that NC0s fish calls are getting a wee bit lost in translation for this chap
Afternoon Karen, Julie and All
The cam went offline at some point so have no way of checking if a fish was delivered, or not, up to the down time
New YT URL from 13:07
13:07 NC0 was on the nest preening when the new stream started
She flew off at 13:48
And returned with a huge stick at 13:51
She made contact calls on landing
She has remained on the nest and has spent a fair bit of time preening since then. I have not seen the male
14:34 NC0 quietly looking around at present,
NC0 left the nest at 15:09
And returned at 15:11 with a large clump of grass
Contact calls on landing
She readjusted her stick from earlier
Then dealt with her newly acquired soft nesting material
Looking around quietly at 15:27
Edit: I've noticed that the cam has been panned in slightly since the new streaming began (ie it doesn't show all of the birch area). I wonder if Lowes had zoomed in on the nest at any stage prior to this?
NC0 flew off again at 15:42, the wind had pick up quite a bit
She was back at 15:45 with a long stick and a clump of grass in her talons!
Contact calls made again
She sorted the grass out first
Then picked up and moved the stick
16:14 She has stayed on the nest
It's fantastic to see NC0 taking care of her nest!
A small headless fish delivery at 16:17
Gosh, there was a kerfuffle to collect it!
I don't think he could release his grip of it
Finally in her beak!
She vocalised
He cleaned his beak
NC0 was eagerly continuing to tuck in when the male flew off at 16:19
NC0 was still eating when the male came back with a small stick at 16:25
Oooh, those wings!
She continued to eat
He looked over to watch her eating
NC0 swallowed the fish tail at 16:27
She was calling for more before he flew off at 16:28
NC0 has remained on the nest and is fish calling at present, 17:06
The male has not been back