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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Blogs and Updates (Published dates)
20.6.24: LotL Fb >>> Update re NC0, DI and two female nest intruders
At 22:48, the male flew around the birch corner - it was NC0 who had been on her diving branch of the birch
NC0 flew from the birch (her reflection seen clearer) as the male made his way to the nest
He had a headless fish in his talons - what a star!
Good to see his full crop too!
She headed straight to his talons and made excited calls!
NC0 transferred her late supper into her left talons
And took it off the nest
Once again, she took her meal behind the birch
He headed off too, but directly to the right
NC0 left the birch area and made her way back to the nest (over the Loch), landing on the perch at 23:15
She made contact calls on landing and when she turned. She had eaten the fish
She cleaned her talons
00:18 Preening
00:21 Fully tucked in and sleeping
©SWT/LotL
24th June
Morning All,
The cam is offline. I don't know when it went down but it was before 6:30 when I first checked in
New YT URL from 10:05
Morning Sandra and all. Back from a computer meltdown! Am so grateful to be able to catch up.
The male brought a stick to the nest at 10:07. Contact calls made on approach and when landing. NC0 not heard
He placed it on the back right edge
He waited quietly on the nest looking around before finally leaving at 10:12
He flew directly to the left, over the inlet
It has remained ENS since then
10:59 NC0 is, at present, calling on the cam post
Julie W said:Morning Sandra and all. Back from a computer meltdown! Am so grateful to be able to catch up
Morning Julie,
Oh I do hate that when it happens, so frustrating! Thank goodness all is back up and working as it should now!
NC0 brought a long stick to the nest at 11:21, top right of pic. She had flown from beyond the birch corner
She's done lots of preening while on the nest and still there at present, 12:04 - fish calling!
12:51 The male delivered a small fish, NC0 had remained on the nest
It was gratefully received!
The cam zoomed in
She had a quick nibble
She altered her position
NC0 readjusted the fish from her talons to her beak
Then back into her talons again
Then flew off with her lunch
Fish seen in her talons (top, left) before going out of cam view
After a quick glance around, he flew off too
He turned to the left
12:53 The cam had remained zoomed in and the male quickly returned with a stick
The cam panned out slightly
Then back to the pre-set view
A loud aircraft was flying overhead as he repositioned a stick
He flew off again at 12:56
NC0 could be heard calling, it sounded as if she was on the cam post (or very close by the nest)
Well, it just goes to show how sensitive the mic is (or how loud NC0's calls actually are!!). She flew from behind the birch, the male was behind her soon after he had left!
No sooner had she landed (fish calling) when the male was in hot pursuit...with a stick
She headed straight to his talons
She vocalised quite loudly!
He flew off after a couple of minutes, 12:59
He soon came back with a shorter stick less than a minute later! NC0 was shouting!
Off he went at 13:01, her calls must have been ringing in his ears...they were in mine! lol. He flew high, from right to left over the Loch
14:23 The male has not returned, NC0 has remained on the nest. She is quietly preening at present
BFN