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
Last seen dates: NC0(16) - 13.8.24 Dark Intruder - TBC
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
There was a torrential downpour this afternoon at around 16:30 - NC0 was hunkered down
The cam went offline at 20:20ish
New YT URL from 20:45
21:01 I can hear NC0 calling on occasion - possibly on the cam post
21:03 A ruffle of feathers heard
©SWT/LotL
One landed on the birch at 22:07 - no calling heard on its arrival nor was there a sound on the cam post
Still there at 22:29 before flying off down the inlet
22:50 Pre night cam
23:30
16th July
Morning All
The first visit of the day was at 7:41 when the male brought a couple of thin sticks
He made contact calls on landing
He attempted to move a large twiggy stick
Looking around for NC0?
He left at 7:43
It remained ENS until 9:18 when NC0 came down from the cam post - she had been fish calling
I heard a flapping of wings, possibly to land close by. She semi-mantled
She glanced up to the cam post
She turned around, more fish calling
The male landed with a twiggy stick - she asked for a fish
He left at 9:26
NC0 was in the same position at 9:48 - fish calling here
She then moved forward and flapped her wings
Intruder around?
Something had caught her attention
She flew off at 9:51
An intruder landed on the nest perch at 10:00
Who did it see approaching?
None other than NC0
She turned to face the intruder
NC0 made her way to the back edge - she was very quiet
Then up to stand on her 'log'
The intruder glanced briefly
With just one flap of NC0's wings, that was enough to send the intruder off!
It headed left, out of cam view
NC0 watched its flight
Then headed off in the same direction
It remained ENS until 11:18 when the male landed - he did not bring a stick!
He was quiet as he looked around
He left at 11:20
NC0 returned at 11:24 - look what she brought with her!
Contact calls on landing
She got a little caught up with the stick as she came onto the nest itself
She turned to place it
She flew off to the right at 12:04
Still ENS at 12:44
BFN
It was ENS until NC0 landed on the nest at 17:35 - she had flown from behind the birch
Her crop appeared to be full?
She had a quick wander to the front of the nest
Then turned to make her way to the back
She remained in that position and, after fish calling, flew off at 17:51
She headed left
NC0 returned a couple of minutes later with a small twig, flying from around the birch
Back onto her 'log' perch
She remained there, fish calling, until 18:35
She flew off to the left again
19:02 The male arrived at the nest with a long stick
He adjusted some sticks
He silently mantled
An intruder landed!
BT0 ring on its right leg - no Darvic. Distant chipping heard
The cam juddered slightly as the intruder moved to the right side of the nest
Could it have been NC0 who had landed on the cam post?
It was silent
Talons heard moving on the cam post
The intruder flew off at 19:09
It wasn't long until there was a landing on the nest
The male flew off
It was NC0
She flapped her wings and chipped
It took a couple of minutes for her to be more relaxed, but did occasionally chip while being watchful
19:25 She was calm and looking around the area
19:27 She moved to the front of the nest
NC0 was relaxed
She turned to move a stick...
Stood quietly, looking around...
...before leaving at 19:31
She flew high around the birch corner
At 20:28, the male landed with some dried grass
He attempted to move a thick stick
It was very much tangled with others
He focused his attention on something.
He flew off at 20:31
It remained ENS after he had left.
Pre night cam at 22:59
23:56
Such a beautiful account Sandra - really lifts the spirits to see them.
17th July
Afternoon Julie and All
Julie W said:Such a beautiful account Sandra - really lifts the spirits to see them
You're very welcome, Julie. Yes, it is good to still see them both!
The male was an early bird, landing on the perch from the cam post at 5:16. He spent a couple of minutes on there before flying off
He did mantle briefly but no threat seen or heard
NC0's first appearance was at 6:49 - she brought a long stick
She turned before landing
Contact calls made
The male joined her at 6:56
She looked to see if he'd brought a fish - she did not vocalise
She was fish calling before he left a couple of minutes later
She flew off at 7:05
It remained ENS until NC0 returned with a twig at 9:56
Once again, contact calls made on landing
She placed it on the front edge of the nest
The male arrived with his own nest additions at 10:01
10:04 Almost sychronised preening
NC0 fish called prior to him leaving at 10:05
After a little more preening and quietly looking around...
...she flew off at 10:10
14:10 At present. Neither NC0 or the male have returned to the nest