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 Blogs and Updates (Published dates)
20.6.24: LotL Fb >>> Update re NC0, DI and two female nest intruders
That's a great capture Sandra, can you not put that one on OP as well?
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Yes, I think I will, Wendy!
Edit: Now added!
Thanks Sandra for the new thread, all the info and of course all your updates.
That is one beautiful photo of Laddie, as Glider so rightly says - "Majestic".
And so is the capture of him with his head bowed - the end of the show. So in some sense I think quite apt and I can honestly say hand on heart, there's no osprey who would get or deserves a bigger applause than "Oor Laddie" xx
Oh gosh, Karen, I miss him...
I know Sandra and you will for some time. I still well up speaking of Laddie but I'm determined to remember the great times he brought us and especially the times spent with his Lady of the Loch.
I laughed so much when he came on the scene and Lady teased about getting a toy boy and that's how his name "Laddie" came about. Oh those were the days.
I didn't know him then, only when he was partner to Lassie (LM15) after Lady failed to return.
Thank you for the insight of how his name came about, Karen, that makes total sense now!
Feel like my heart is breaking but joy a the same time that the ospreys find a way to go forward after loss. An important lesson for me. I didn't know there had been a previous lady for Laddie but of course, why not.
Hello Julie,
I can fully understand your comment
Yes, he had two previous partners before NC0 arrived in 2020: 'Lady of the Loch' and Lassie (LF15 - Lowes Female and the year she arrived, 2015) after Lady's non-return. Lassie did not return from migration in 2020.
Lady was a very famous Osprey. Some info for you, taken from the LotL website:
'Long-time observers of Loch of the Lowes ospreys will know that during Lady's 24 years here she laid an incredible record breaking 73 eggs, 50 of which hatched and survived to fledgling. The years with LM12 were her final years when her fertility lessened'
There was a flight from the cam post to the birch at 21:23ish
Wing, top left
I did not hear any calling, or movement, at all prior to a 'clunk' as it left the cam post. I don't know how long it had been on there
Another joined it at 21:34ish
Both still there at 21:46. Calling can be heard so I presume it is NC0, on her diving branch, (who left the cam post) and the male
©SWT/LotL
Both still there, 22:11
At 22:13, NC0 vocalised as the male left his branch...
...but it was only to change his position. He flew back to a branch underneath NC0
He gave his wings a flap after landing
22:32 Although not very clear, the male is still there. NC0 is calling for a fish