LOCH OF THE LOWES - June 2024 to end of season

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.

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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

Last seen dates:  NC0(16) - 13.8.24  Dark Intruder - TBC

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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

17.8.24: LotL Fb .>>> Migrations?

17.8.24: SWT YouTube >>> Last Osprey Sightings of the Summer?

20.8.24: LotL Blog >>> Osprey LM12 died of natural causes

23.8.24: LotL Fb >>> Dark Intruder still at Lowes

  • She flew off at 17:11 - still calling!

    17:15 I can't hear her vocalising

    ©SWT/LotL

  • It remained ENS until 17:59 when the male arrived with a twiggy stick

    He began to flap his wings as NC0 approached

    She called for fish

    He decided to move a stick

    He flew off at 18:01

    But was then back at 18:02 with a small clump of moss

    She continued to vocalise

    Away again

    A 'Y' shaped stick was next to be brought to the nest at 18:04

    NC0 preened

    She fish called

    He flew off at 18:05. NC0 was quietly preening

    18:54 The male has not returned. NC0 preening at present, as she has been doing since the male left

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 flew off the nest at 19:54, she was very quiet

    She returned at 19:56 with some grass or moss in her left talons

    Contact calls made on landing

    She moved a stick

    she had a quick preen

    She remained at the back of the nest, preening.

    At 20:20, after standing quietl,y looking around, she flew off to the birch

    She landed on her diving branch

    Still on there at 20:56. No calling heard

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 flew from the birch at 21:49ish. Due to the cam's position, I don't know if she flew off around the corner, or down the inlet

    She returned back on there at 22:38, from around the corner, fish calling

    Still there calling at 22:49

    There have been no visits to the nest

    ©SWT/LotL

  • It was far too difficult to tell if NC0 was still on the birch pre-night cam at 23:20. No calling heard

    23:52 ENS

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 12th June

    Morning All

    NC0 could be heard calling before coming in to view flying past the left side of the nest

    She flew behind the trees then came round to land on the perch. Contact calls made

    She remained on the nest until 4:12 

    NC0 landed on the birch

    She returned from there at 5:22

    She silently mantled just prior to the male arriving, just over a minute later

    NC0 called for fish

    He left at 5:56

    She stayed on the nest, fish calling, until flying off at 6:15

    The male returned at 6:17 with a stick

    At 6:19, NC0 came back

    She fish called

    He left at 6:23

    Having remained on the nest, NC0 was shouting for fish at 7:27

    She's still doing the same at present, 7:54

    The male has not been back

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 8:22 Hopefully, you'll get a fish soon, NC0

    BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Afternoon All,

    A brief summary of events:

    At 8:33, there was a very short visit from the male when he brought a small stick to the nest

    NC0 had popped of the nest and returned minutes before the male next appeared at 9:58 - I don't think he was carrying anything in his talons

    He hovered over NC0 - an attempt to mate?

    He turned

    And landed on her for a moment

    She turned. Her tail was raised briefly (I don't know if this was intentional or due to her movement)

    He hovered over to the right

    I thought he was going to try his luck again but he landed on the nest

    The male was standing next to NC0 when the cam panned back out (to show the birch in full) at 10:03

    He flew off after that

    NC0 remained on the nest (lots of preening done) and at 12:06, after quietly looking around...

    ...and having an overhead wing stretch...

    ...flew off

    15:30 As far as I can tell, it has remained ENS since then

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 16:21 Male to the nest with a small fish in his right talons

    NC0 flew in immediately

    She knew he had something

    And made a beeline for it

    The fish was still gripped in his talons

    But she succeeded in taking it

    NC0 silently flapped her wings and mantled while looking around

    The male was on alert too

    Both were calmer and he cleaned his beak

    The fish flapped its tail as she began to tuck in so it was definitely a live one. Perhaps the male had eaten prior to this being brought in?

    He flew off at 16:25

    ©SWT/LotL

  • NC0 continued to eat and, judging by the short calls she made, sounded like she was enjoying her small meal

    The fish was all gone at 16:30

    She cleaned her talons

    She called for more

    NC0 remained on the nest and at 17:04, became on alert

    She silently flapped her wings

    And looked skyward

    She made her way across the nest as the male flew down to the nest

    He was in defensive mode too

    He watched the sky too

    NC0 chipped

    She was rather flustered

    She looked directly upwards

    She appeared to track something

    They both looked in this direction

    They both relaxed slightly and the male headed off that way at 17:07

    ©SWT/LotL