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 was on the nest fish calling at 19:53

    She then flew off

    The cam went offline a couple of minutes later when it was ENS

    Still offline at 20:43

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Thanks as always Sandra. You have been keeping me up to date while i've been dealing with the Loch Arkaig sad departure.

    Camera came back online at 21:12

  • A pleasure, Ash. Yes, a very sad but needy intervention at LA...

    New YT URL

    It's been ENS since coming back online. One on the birch at present, 21:39

    ©SWT/LotL

  • Confirmed as NC0 on the birch, she called rather loudly before leaving at 21:53

    She flew left, behind the birch

    22:55 There have been no visits to the nest

    ©SWT/LotL

  • 2nd July

    Morning All,

    NC0's calls could be heard before she landed at 3:58

    She positioned herself on the front right edge

    NC0 remained here, quietly looking around and having occasional preening sessions, until 4:37

    She flew off to the birch

    9:23 As far as I can tell, it's remained ENS since then

    ©SWT/LotL

  • The male came to the nest empty taloned at 10:35. NC0 was on the cam post fish calling on his approach

    He went to the back of the nest and coy mantled

    After much shouting, it took NC0 almost a minute before landing on the nest

    Crikey, was she giving him an earful!

    He decided to move the clump of brown leaves

    She made er way to the back of the nest

    More nestorising

    He eventually stood close to NC0 and proceeded to preen. All the while she was demanding a fish

    He flew off at 10:47

    He went around the birch

    He came back at 11:59 with some nesting material. It was a very brief visit

    He then made another appearance at 12:26 - with a stick! NC0 was not at all impressed and pecked at him!

    He flew off just after 12:27

    Back he came with some moss at 12:30

    NC0 continued to give him an 'ear-bashing' until he left at 12:37

    The male has not returned since then. NC0 has been on and off the nest a couple of times but at present, 15:10, is there waiting quietly 

    ©SWT/LotL

  • How he has not gone deaf is a mystery! 

  • Maybe he has which is why he can put up with NCO's 'sweet tones'? RoflRofl

     

     2013 photos & vids here

    eff37 on Flickr

  • You may have hit the nail on the head there Joy

  • This will keep NC0 quiet for a while...she caught herself a WHOPPER and brought it to the nest at 19:46

    She came into view here and was making contact calls during her flight and when landing on the nest

    She gave her wet feathers a good shake

    The fish flapped a few times

    After not making any headway tucking in to her meal, she looked around and took it off the nest

    Edit: She returned with it a couple of minutes later

    She began tucking in

    ©SWT/LotL