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
22:03 When scrolling through the footage, I couldn't find any visits to the nest
SWT/LotL
18th July
Morning All
10:15 It has been ENS so far
©SWT/LotL
At 12:52, the male landed on the nest
He made his way to the back of the nest
Within moments, NC0 arrived
She quietly vocalised
And preened
He moved to the left side of the nest, NC0 fish called
He flew off at 12:55
He was back a couple of minutes later
She thought he'd brought a fish
She preened (NC0 had done this too while the male was away)
He proceeded to nest tidy
She was very vocal
He left again after just over two minutes
She carried on preening
He was back a minute or so after. NC0 prepared herself to accept a fish delivery
He'd brought some dried grass instead, much to NC0's dismay
More stick organising
He turned while she preened
Then launched himself
Hovered
Then landed on her in an attempt to mate
She made it clear that he had to get off
He hovered to land on the perch
He flew off at 13:05
NC0 continued with her preening regime
After a quick look around
She flew off at 13:10 and landed on the birch
It remained ENS until 15:36 - distant chipping could be heard before the male landed
NC0 was fish calling on the cam post
He was there for a further 7 minutes before NC0 came down - she was still calling for fish
He flew off at 15:45
He was back just over a minute later
Adjusted a stick and pecked at it
He opened and closed his beak as well as shake his head several times - possibly a piece of bark had got caught?
He moved closer to NC0, she was still calling for fish
He left at 15:52
Back at 15:54 with thin sticks
15:58 NC0 was still yelling for fish
She turned
And, after an overhead wing stretch (Ahem, avert your eyes young man!)
She flew off to the birch
She left the birch at 16:01 and headed off behind it
He flew off at that point
He flew high, off to the left, out of cam view
NC0 returned, shouting, at 16:24
The male soon arrived with dried grass!
She was giving him 'what for!'
He flew off about 30 seconds after arriving
He headed left
He returned within a minute
He looked around
And flew off. He headed high left, out of cam view
NC0 remained on the nest (preening and fish calling) until flying off at 16:32
She flew high over the birch
It was ENS until 18:29 when the male landed with some more nest additions
He did some nest tidying
Then left at 18:31
He glided off to the right
I lost sight of him after that
The male landed on the nest from the cam post with a bunch of sticks,at 18:56
Repositioned a twig
Looking for NC0?
Flapped over to the back of the nest and stood on NC0's 'log'
And flew off to the right at 18:58
20:44 It's remained ENS since then