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
Super coverage Scylla, your slide show was great and of course your video and portraits.
13 August.
Just saw the one visit from our pair today.
Around noon, the male arrived. He started flapping.
He moved to the edge.
He then took a mantling position.
He dropped his wings. All was quiet.
2 or 3 minutes after arriving, another Osprey joined him.
He resumed mantling position again and ducked as she flew over him to NC0’s perch.
The Osprey gave a few quiet chips. The male moved position on the nest, mantling.
They waited silently. I think this may be the female intruder we saw a couple of days ago going by the back of head markings.
After 7 minutes, the other Osprey flew down to the left as NC0 arrived.She landed silently and gave her head a shake.
They stood at opposite sides, the male looked behind at NC0 a few times.
She just stood hunched up in the rain, not saying anything.
The male decided to leave after a couple of minutes.NC0 watched his departure.
He landed on the split birch.NC0 stayed on the nest for a few minutes longer.
She gave her wings a good flap
then her feathers a shake.
She looked around then upwards
then left at 12.15, flying to the left and up.
©️SWT/LotL
A crow or 2 spent more than 20 minutes on the nest in the evening.
18.27
Time for a preen.
18.47 Now with a friend.
.
Glider said:Just saw the one visit from our pair today. Around noon, the male arrived. He started flapping.
I've only just got around to it, having been LG-ing and trying to adjust the nearly-new telly, whch is orful...
Anyway, DM ws on the nest twice between 6 and 7 in the morning - the first time for about 25 minutes, when he even perched on NC0's perch before flying off to the birch... and half an hour later he came for a short while - I couldn't tell if it was due to an intruder of if NC0 was on top of the cam ??? I wasn't even sure it was him at first
Then your rain-blobbed visits, nothing after that.
We never see owls at nightt snce the trees were pruned back
IMAGICAT
14 August
18.15 I’ve scrolled back to 06.10 this morning and can’t see any ospreys unless a visit has been so short, I’ve skipped past it.
This must be Pale Male then ??????
Glider said: I’ve scrolled back to 06.10
What bad luck - you just missed DM, who was on the nest for 10 minutes from about 05:30. I didn't find any sign of anyone else up to 22:30 this evening.
Cirrus said:This must be Pale Male then ??????
Hi Cirrus, it’s the dark male. I know his chest looks quite pale but the band around his eyes is very dark. He is also recognised by the elongated pupil in his right eye.
15 August
I’ve not seen any Osprey activity on the nest today/tonight.
18.01 A crow visited.
It walked across the nest.
When it turned its head, the wind blew its feathers and revealed white feathers underneath.
It only stayed for a minute or 2.
Glider said:I’ve not seen any Osprey activity on the nest today/tonight.
Me neither.
Glider said:18.01 A crow visited.
The only critter seen.
16 August
No-one seen up to 10:30.