Continued from May 2024
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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
All gone within the hour I believe.
I think she's having a meal break, Ash
Edit: At present, 21:18
©SWT/LotL
21:19 She's just flown off with it. Crows (or are they ravens?) were quick to jump onto the nest
The first one on the nest, found a remnant of fish in the centre that must have dropped off on NC0's departure
21:36 ENS at present
Apart from a crow visiting the nest briefly after the pair of them had left, it has remained ENS
Pre night cam at 23:00
Presently, 23:33
Hmm, I wonder where the male has been since he flew off at lunchtime?
3rd July
Morning All,
The male landed on the cam post around a minute or so before coming onto the nest at 7:47. Apart from a crow pottering about, there had been no other visits to the nest up until this point
He did some nest tidying
He moved the cluster of brown leaves
Some nestcupping was called for
Looking around
He wasn't happy with the position of the leaves
He went to the back of the nest and fiddled with a piece of bark
A beaver was swimming out of the inlet
He left at 7:52...
And flew behind the birch after this pic
He came back at 8:37, flying from behind the birch
He made contact calls on landing
He did a few crop drops
Of course, he had to reposition a stick!
After quietly looking around...
He flew off to the right around a minute after arriving
As far as I can tell, it has remained ENS. At present, 10:59
NC0 is probably sitting somewhere, still tucking in to her huge fish from yesterday!
I can't believe it! I did a report this afternoon and I couldn't have hit the reply button! Here's the report...
13:55 The male brought a small headless fish
He quietly looked around. Was he waiting for NC0?
He began to eat while waiting
He stopped
Then flew off with his fish a little over a minute later
He was back with a small stick at 14:33
He quietly looked around again
He then set to work with some nestorising. First, moving his newest stick
Then made an attempt to move the 'log'
More sticks were repositioned
He then turned his attention to the cluster of leaves. 'Shall I put them here?'
'No, here is better!'
He nestcupped
More stick moving
He stopped to look around
He then flew off at 14:43
He flew directly to the left
The wind did pick up earlier this evening so a few bits of soft nesting material moved. I've not seen any more visits to the nest
At present, 22:12, it remains ENS
No visits seen
Pre-night cam at 23:14
23:58
4th July
Great to see NC0 back on the nest this morning!
The male landed at 4:57
After a little bit of nest tidying and looking around, he began to flap his wings
Our dear girl landed! He jumped up, hovered above her and flew off
He could be seen flying round, and behind, the birch
She made her way to the back of the nest. She was quiet
The male returned at 5:01 with soft nesting material
She looked at his talons and gave low, short calls
He flew off again almost a few minutes later
A small clump of grass was next to be brought to the nest at 5:28
He remained on the nest for well over 5 minutes. NC0 was fish calling but it wasn't her usual demanding vocalisation
NC0 preening at 5:51
She remained on the nest until 6:48 when she took a quick break
NC0 returned with a twiggy stick a few minutes after
Contact calls on landing
I'll leave it there for now. BBS
Sandra said:I can't believe it! I did a report this afternoon and I couldn't have hit the reply button! Here's the report...
Good morning Sandra - haha, I’ve done that before too!
Cont'd...
The male did return a couple more times after that, no fish was delivered
At 7:07, NC0 brought a long stick to the nest
And another at 8:01
8:57 It was very breezy, NC0 faced into the wind
She flew off at 9:11
The male returned with a small stick at 9:52
He did some nestorising during this visit. Amongst other things, those leaves got his attention
A stick was repositioned
A long feather
And soft nesting material
He then left at 9:56
10:51 It has remained ENS since then
BFN