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/
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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
She flew off at 17:11 - still calling!
17:15 I can't hear her vocalising
©SWT/LotL
It remained ENS until 17:59 when the male arrived with a twiggy stick
He began to flap his wings as NC0 approached
She called for fish
He decided to move a stick
He flew off at 18:01
But was then back at 18:02 with a small clump of moss
She continued to vocalise
Away again
A 'Y' shaped stick was next to be brought to the nest at 18:04
NC0 preened
She fish called
He flew off at 18:05. NC0 was quietly preening
18:54 The male has not returned. NC0 preening at present, as she has been doing since the male left
NC0 flew off the nest at 19:54, she was very quiet
She returned at 19:56 with some grass or moss in her left talons
Contact calls made on landing
She moved a stick
she had a quick preen
She remained at the back of the nest, preening.
At 20:20, after standing quietl,y looking around, she flew off to the birch
She landed on her diving branch
Still on there at 20:56. No calling heard
NC0 flew from the birch at 21:49ish. Due to the cam's position, I don't know if she flew off around the corner, or down the inlet
She returned back on there at 22:38, from around the corner, fish calling
Still there calling at 22:49
There have been no visits to the nest
It was far too difficult to tell if NC0 was still on the birch pre-night cam at 23:20. No calling heard
23:52 ENS
12th June
Morning All
NC0 could be heard calling before coming in to view flying past the left side of the nest
She flew behind the trees then came round to land on the perch. Contact calls made
She remained on the nest until 4:12
NC0 landed on the birch
She returned from there at 5:22
She silently mantled just prior to the male arriving, just over a minute later
NC0 called for fish
He left at 5:56
She stayed on the nest, fish calling, until flying off at 6:15
The male returned at 6:17 with a stick
At 6:19, NC0 came back
He left at 6:23
Having remained on the nest, NC0 was shouting for fish at 7:27
She's still doing the same at present, 7:54
The male has not been back
8:22 Hopefully, you'll get a fish soon, NC0
BFN
Afternoon All,
A brief summary of events:
At 8:33, there was a very short visit from the male when he brought a small stick to the nest
NC0 had popped of the nest and returned minutes before the male next appeared at 9:58 - I don't think he was carrying anything in his talons
He hovered over NC0 - an attempt to mate?
He turned
And landed on her for a moment
She turned. Her tail was raised briefly (I don't know if this was intentional or due to her movement)
He hovered over to the right
I thought he was going to try his luck again but he landed on the nest
The male was standing next to NC0 when the cam panned back out (to show the birch in full) at 10:03
He flew off after that
NC0 remained on the nest (lots of preening done) and at 12:06, after quietly looking around...
...and having an overhead wing stretch...
...flew off
15:30 As far as I can tell, it has remained ENS since then
16:21 Male to the nest with a small fish in his right talons
NC0 flew in immediately
She knew he had something
And made a beeline for it
The fish was still gripped in his talons
But she succeeded in taking it
NC0 silently flapped her wings and mantled while looking around
The male was on alert too
Both were calmer and he cleaned his beak
The fish flapped its tail as she began to tuck in so it was definitely a live one. Perhaps the male had eaten prior to this being brought in?
He flew off at 16:25
NC0 continued to eat and, judging by the short calls she made, sounded like she was enjoying her small meal
The fish was all gone at 16:30
She cleaned her talons
She called for more
NC0 remained on the nest and at 17:04, became on alert
She silently flapped her wings
And looked skyward
She made her way across the nest as the male flew down to the nest
He was in defensive mode too
He watched the sky too
NC0 chipped
She was rather flustered
She looked directly upwards
She appeared to track something
They both looked in this direction
They both relaxed slightly and the male headed off that way at 17:07