LOCH OF THE LOWES - June 2024 to end of season

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.

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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   Broken heart

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

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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

  • NC0's dulcet tones could be heard echoing around the reserve prior to her landing on the nest at 9:38

    It wasn't long before the male arrived with a stick

    He the pecked at the end of the 'log' NC0 brought in yesterday

    He then attempted to move it. NC0 was shouting for fish!

    He then used it as a perch

    He flew off to the right after just after an almost 3 minute visit

    NC0 remained on the nest until 11:02 but then returned at 11:05 after a quick break

    The male delivered a small headless fish at 11:09

    She eagerly took it from him

    He cleaned his beak

    She began to tuck in straight away. It sounded as if she was enjoying every beakful

    He flew off

    She remained on the nest to eat

    She was calling for more at 11:25

    At present, 11:45, NC0 is quiet. Beautiful blue sky at the moment!

    ©SWT/LotL

  • The male brought the latest colourful adornment to the nest at 13:55

    A bunch of brown leaves

    After his flight away a couple of minutes later, NC0 began to silently flap her wings

    She altered her position and began to mantle

    She chipped a couple of times

    Then calmed down. She preened

    Watchful

    She has spent a lot of time on the nest today but has had a couple of breaks

    NC0 left at 16:19 and headed to the birch

    She left there at 16:36ish to land on the cam post

    Movements suggested she flew off from there just before she landed on the nest at 17:52

    17:04 She is, at present, calling for fish

    ©SWT/LotL

  • The cam went offline at 17:17. NC0 was still on the nest fish calling up until then

    No new YT URL as yet

  • New YT URL from 19:57

    ENS since coming back online

    ©SWT/LotL

  • The male arrived with a stick at 20:30

    It was quite evident, when he landed, that he was sporting a full crop - let's hope NC0 had some of that fish too!

    He stood there quietly looking around

    He appeared very relaxed during his visit

    He flew off at 20:34

    NC0 paid a short visit at 20:56 - she was fish calling on her approach and on landing

    She opened and closed her beak as if she had enjoyed a meal

    Just over a minute later, she headed off in the same direction that the male had

    The male came back at 21:15 with a small stick

    He spent a fair bit of his time nestorising

    He even nestcupped

    A brief pause...

    ...before back to nest tidying again

    More nestcupping

    He stopped his hard work and quietly looked around at 21:19

    Then flew off at 21:20

    And was continuing to fly behind the birch

    ©SWT/LotL

  • It has remained ENS since then. Pre night cam, 23:07

    At present, 23:17

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Just an average Sunday - bit of DIY! Thank you so much for this wonderful update as always  

  • Morning Julie,

    You're very welcome! Blush

    I haven't checked through this morning's footage so far but the male delivered a live fish to NC0 at 10:11. Skydancing could be heard prior to his arrival

    The cam zoomed in

    She was very vocal

    She walked to the back of the nest with the fish firmly in her talons 

    She began to eat her meal

    He flew off at 11:13

    A brief pause in eating...

    Then back to it!

    10:15 Two gunshots heard! She paused and looked in the direction of the birch area

    Then back to continue her meal

    The cam went back to pre-set at 11:16

    NC0 had finished the fish at 10:20 - she cleaned her beak

    She called for more

    10:39 Just before the cam went on a 'tour'

    Little birds have nibbled the mic covering

    The cam then went into a spin

    NC0 could be heard calling, away from the nest, at this point

    A quick zoom on the birch

    Then back to pre-set at 11:42. It was ENS

    Still ENS at present, 11:12

    BFN

    ©SWT/LotL

  • At 13:12, NC0 was on the nest (the male had only left a few minutes beforehand after delivering a stick!). She became very alert and began to flap her wings

    She made her way to the back of the nest doing the same

    The BTO ringed female intruder landed

    NC0 turned around on the perch

    NC0 then made her move to oust the intruder

    She leapt up

    NC0 gave chase

    The persistent intruder was only on the nest for about a minute or so. NC0 was quiet throughout

    ©SWT/LotL

  • There was a headless fish delivery at 18:14

    He cleaned his beak

    Gosh, she was very vocal!

    She was still vocal while eating

    He flew off at 18:16

    NC0 remained on the nest to eat

    ©SWT/LotL