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
3rd August
Good evening,
First, I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has kept the thread going while I've been absent - it is very much appreciated! I still have a lot going on health-wise but wanted to report a wonderful headless fish delivery at 16:43ish today. I wonder if, while they've not been seen on cam, NC0 has shown the male an alternative fishing spot? It was his largest and chunkiest catch I've seen him bring to her!
NC0 had landed on the nest only a minute or so prior to the male's arrival
Was it a salmon?
She sounded delighted as the male cleaned his beak
After he cleaned his beak some more, he flew off
NC0 left with her lovely meal shortly after
I did not see her go to the birch area
The male arrived with a stick soon after NC0 had flown off
©SWT/LotL
Grreat capture Sandra, so good to hear from you, take great care and hope to hear you are well soon?
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
.
I made this Unlisted because I've put insufficient warning on it about it being so long and "uneventful". It's one of those "this is what she was like" videos, I can advise you of it's skippability here but I should have put it on the vid.
Sandra said:a wonderful headless fish delivery at 16:43ish today
I'm only THREE MINUTES OUT !!!
Sandra said:NC0 had landed on the nest only a minute or so prior to the male's arrival
However, as you can see from Video One above, she'd been waiting for "rather a long time" earlier
As you can imagine, the above were in the making for a very long time, you weren't here when I first opened up RF, just as well I reversed and refreshed. I'm so grateful to be able to ditch the half-composed msg "Is anyone directly in touch with Sandra?" etc, was getting really, really worried. I'm so glad that DM's magnificent fish drew you here despite persisting health probs - I do hope you'll soon be truly on the mend
IMAGICAT
Lovely to see your post Sandra. It was a super fish for NC0. Maybe she has helped the male discover a much better fishing spot? I’m not sure what it was but it could’ve been a salmon as you said as the flesh was very red. Keep looking after yourself and get better soon.
Lovely to see you posting SANDRA.
Look after yourself and just take it easy
On scroll-back to 10.45 this morning, I found the male on the nest at 11.00.
The area was quiet, he stayed for a short while.
At 13.00 NC0 arrived.
The male brought in a stick soon after.
He mantled
They stood together
NC0 started quietly vocalising.
The male then left
NC0 stayed a little longer. She fiddled with a thin stick on a branch for a minute it two.
Then she left
She flew over the water
and onto the split birch.
NC0 did get a fish at 20.42.
The male arrived with a small live fish. With the light fading, the images are very blurred.
The fish got loose on the handover and jumped about their feet. (Arrowed)
NC0 soon got a hold of it and took it off nest to eat. She flew over to the right.
The male left, flying to the left.
NC0 returned just under 10 minutes later asking for another but just stayed for a few minutes.
She flew off to the birch and could be heard calling on and off from there.
©️SWT/LotL
5 August
Both birds were on the nest this morning.
09.02 NC0 arrived first.
The male then arrived
He started tidying the nest.
NC0 left, landing on the cam pole I think.
The male carried on tidying.
He was scraping
He then seemed to find something edible buried in the vegetation.
However he pecked pieces off then spat them out! NC0 could be heard calling from nearby.
09.14 The male left the nest
He flew down over the water and to the left.
17.00 NC0 had a visit to the nest. She quietly vocalised.
Looked around, had a preen.
Called a bit louder (but not her full volume!)
She went quiet
did more preening
then left at speed 20 minutes later.
21.12 NC0 came to the nest, she was excitedly fish calling. The male arrived.
NC0 dived to his talons to collect a fish but there was nothing there.
She was none too happy and lashed out pecking his head.
He hurriedly took off
NC0 stayed for a short while then left as well.
She flew to the left.
6 August
From what I can see, there’s only been one visit to the nest today. However, I may have missed any brief visits as my scroll back jumps quickly and it’s easy to miss something!
11.47 A Corvid made a brief appearance.
Later in the afternoon, the water was a beautiful colour.
18.25 The male came to the nest with a small licheny stick.
He looked around
Then dropped his wings to mantle
and moved to the edge of the nest flapping.
The male then left as another bird was incoming to the nest. It had a blue ring on its left leg.
Can’t read the ring.
The Osprey watched the male fly away towards the trees to the left.
The bird didn’t stay long
It flew over the water, turning in left at the split birch.
18.28 The male returned with a thin stick.
He placed it down and did some tidying.
He was watchful as well.
He looked up at the cam pole.
Then turned around to the other side of the nest.
There was a nearby chirp from whoever was on the cam pole and he turned his head immediately to look.
He left a few seconds later.