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
NC0 was on the nest fish calling at 19:53
She then flew off
The cam went offline a couple of minutes later when it was ENS
Still offline at 20:43
©SWT/LotL
Thanks as always Sandra. You have been keeping me up to date while i've been dealing with the Loch Arkaig sad departure.
A pleasure, Ash. Yes, a very sad but needy intervention at LA...
New YT URL
It's been ENS since coming back online. One on the birch at present, 21:39
Confirmed as NC0 on the birch, she called rather loudly before leaving at 21:53
She flew left, behind the birch
22:55 There have been no visits to the nest
2nd July
Morning All,
NC0's calls could be heard before she landed at 3:58
She positioned herself on the front right edge
NC0 remained here, quietly looking around and having occasional preening sessions, until 4:37
She flew off to the birch
9:23 As far as I can tell, it's remained ENS since then
The male came to the nest empty taloned at 10:35. NC0 was on the cam post fish calling on his approach
He went to the back of the nest and coy mantled
After much shouting, it took NC0 almost a minute before landing on the nest
Crikey, was she giving him an earful!
He decided to move the clump of brown leaves
She made er way to the back of the nest
More nestorising
He eventually stood close to NC0 and proceeded to preen. All the while she was demanding a fish
He flew off at 10:47
He went around the birch
He came back at 11:59 with some nesting material. It was a very brief visit
He then made another appearance at 12:26 - with a stick! NC0 was not at all impressed and pecked at him!
He flew off just after 12:27
Back he came with some moss at 12:30
NC0 continued to give him an 'ear-bashing' until he left at 12:37
The male has not returned since then. NC0 has been on and off the nest a couple of times but at present, 15:10, is there waiting quietly
How he has not gone deaf is a mystery!
Maybe he has which is why he can put up with NCO's 'sweet tones'?
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
You may have hit the nail on the head there
This will keep NC0 quiet for a while...she caught herself a WHOPPER and brought it to the nest at 19:46
She came into view here and was making contact calls during her flight and when landing on the nest
She gave her wet feathers a good shake
The fish flapped a few times
After not making any headway tucking in to her meal, she looked around and took it off the nest
Edit: She returned with it a couple of minutes later
She began tucking in