Continued from May 2024
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https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/
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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
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
29th June
Morning All,
A BTO ringed Scottish female has intruded the nest on a couple of occasions
4:55 The male landed
He was dive bombed. Chipping heard
He flew off as the intruder came to the nest
She chipped
It appeared to be the same one who had intruded before
Moving sticks
She remained unchallenged on the nest until 5:14ish. The male brought a stick while she was on the perch
Onto the nest
He remained in that position for over 3 minutes before flapping his wings and then hovering over her
Then landed on the cam post
He must have left there to return a couple of minutes later with some moss
It wasn't long after that when NC0 made an appearance (she had flown from the birch corner). She hovered
Then landed
Scene a couple of minutes after NC0 arrived
5:28 The male had already flown
NC0 launched herself
That didn't budge the intruder
At 5:36, the male brought a stick!
NC0 landed on the cam post
The male flew off as NC0 made her way onto the nest
The male came back with a stick
NC0 flapped her wings
She then flew off but came back to dive bomb the intruder
That was the intruder's cue to leave!
5:32
©SWT/LotL
Good morning Sandra, you’ve nothing to apologise for. You do an amazing job covering this nest and we are grateful for any posts you make, brief of full. I know ospreys can take over our lives at times!
Morning Glider
Thank you and yes, they certainly do!
The intruder was very persistent...
She returned at 5:57 - the male flew off after bringing another stick to the nest
Again at 7:11 after NC0 brought a 'log' to the nest
NC0 'dismissed' her at 7:18
She left the nest to chase her away
NC0 was on the nest when the intruder came back at 8:14
She mantled before flying off - the intruder landed
NC0's tail, top right
She checked the sky before leaving around a minute later
As she turned left behind the nest..
...NC0, I assume, came zooming in from the left side, flying behind the nest and away (gosh, was she quick!)
I did not see where the intruder went straight after...
...but there was a flight over in the birch area around 10 seconds later
Both the male and NC0 have been back to the nest since then and at present, 11:20, it is ENS, as it has been since 9:04
BFN
Significant!
At 14:28, the male landed with a fish
He went on alert
Who should appear? Yep, the BTO ringed female
He flew off with the fish
She remained on the nest
The male reappeared with the fish at 14:35
She made a beeline for his talons and stole the fish!
He flew off
She flew off too, with the fish, making short chipping calls
She could then be seen flying towards the inlet
Another was over in the birch area (I assume the male?). He flew left to right over the Loch
She came back to land on the perch
She remained on there, unchallenged, to eat
The intruder finished the fish at 15:00 - cleaning her talons here
She came onto the nest and called
She cleaned her beak
She waited around on the nest
She finally flew off at 15:14
She headed left, over the inlet
At 15:56, our dear NC0 landed on the nest
She stood there looking around as well as doing some preening
She flew off at 16:12
She returned at 16:24 - calling for fish
After a few minutes, she began to flap her wings on alert and moved to the right of the nest. The intruder landed again!
16:30 There was a brief face-off
Then NC0 flew up in an attempt to oust the intruder
Then, with talons showing, she almost connected with the intruder to ensure she cleared off!
NC0 remained on the nest until leaving at 16:37
The intruder came back at 17:36. NC0, who had been on the birch, had already spotted her approach and made her way to the nest
She hovered over before landing
NC0 turned
She launched herself at the intruder
That made her leave!
NC0 gave chase, 17:37
19:12 It has remained ENS since then
Gosh, that is a very determined intruder taking on NC0 and stealing one of her fish from the male!
Yes, Glider, I hope NC0 has now moved her on!
20:33 NC0 had been on the birch and made her way to the nest. I couldn't find any other visits prior to this
She called for fish
Then was quiet and watchful
She remained quiet and flew off to the birch at 20:42
It remained ENS after that. NC0 was not on the birch pre night cam coming on at 23:12
23:50 At present
30th June
NC0 was the first to arrive on the nest at 4:12. She flew in from the right
She made a contact call on landing
A quick preen
She was quiet as she looked around
She looked up to the cam post
Then headed up there less than a minute after arriving. Three contact calls made
It remained ENS until 7:54 when the male arrived with a stick. No calling heard from NC0
He picked it up and placed it on the front edge of the nest
He quietly looked around
The flew off around a minute after landing