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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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
NC0 arrived on the nest at 17:06 - she called on approach and on landing
She preened her 'undercarriage'
More preening
She carried on cleaning her feathers on the right edge of the nest at 17:10
She called
More calling
Then she left at 17:15. Her wings moved that stick from its position
Her flight couldn't be seen behind the trees but she then came into view, making her way to the birch
She's still there, 17:38
©SWT/LotL
Sorry I missed her. Weather seems to have closed in.
Hi Julie,
It is so windy at Lowes. The male's going to enjoy sorting out the sticks when he arrives! lol
NC0 left the birch at 18:15
She flew over the Loch and went high out of view, above the area marked
At 18:46, she could be seen flying over the Loch to make her way back to the nest
She was chipping
She silently looked across the Loch
Then, a little light preening was needed
She looked around
And moved the stick from the centre of the nest to the front edge
She quietly looked around again
Then preened her neck feathers
Another quick check to make sure all was ok
NC0 just had to clean her feathers again!
She flew off at 18:49 and made her way to the birch
NC0 left the birch at 18:54, heading directly to the left, behind it
20:12 It's remained ENS and, after several periodical checks, the birch has remained empty too
There was a flight from right to left over the Loch at 20:32. Whoever it was, landed on NC0's diving branch of the birch
Still there and sitting quietly at 20:46
A dive from the birch at 20:56ish
It turned behind the tall tree then headed down the inlet
Calling then a splash heard, 21:23ish
There was then a flight from right to left. It headed towards the birch area, marked
21:35 One to NC0's diving branch of the birch (it had flown out from the inlet, had a flight around the birch area before landing), another flying behind - calling heard
The following Osprey attempted to land on the birch where the other one was already. It flew off to the right then back towards, and behind the lower birch area
This was NC0, she was calling loudly!
At 21:38, the male flew out from the birch area. NC0 was calling
He turned and headed back into the birch area
NC0 made an immediate flight back to the nest - calling all the way!
Shouting for fish
She stopped calling momentarily and appeared to clean her beak on the back sticks. Could it have been her who had a successful dive earlier?
She looked very wet!
NC0 cleaned her beak again
21:42 More calling before flying off
Both were on the birch at 21:55. NC0 was calling (again). He had not very long landed on there
She made her way back to the nest
21:58 Still calling
The male moved to NC0's diving branch of the birch
She preened
The male flew off at 22:00. NC0 was holding her wings out to dry?
He headed down the inlet (not seen in this pic as he was a blur against the backdrop of the trees)
For the second night in a row, he came back and flew over NC0 - she was vocalising
At 22:18, NC0 flapped onto the perch
She was resting her eyes just before night cam came on at 22:43
Sleeping fully tucked in now, 23:23
3rd June
Morning All
The male's first visit to the nest was at 4:20. NC0, who had been on the birch, made her way back, calling, while he was approaching
His talons were empty
She pecked at him on a couple of occasions, shouting
He flew off around a minute later and headed right, over the Loch. NC0 didn't remaine on the nest for long after that
It remained ENS until she came back at 6:11, screaming for a fish - the male had duly obliged!
And what a fab-sized headless fish it was!
She collected it from him
They were then in defensive mode - intruder around?
No threat seen
She took a bite of her breakfish
After letting the male know how grateful she was, NC0 headed off into, or possibly behind, the birch at 6:13
The male cleaned his beak before turning around and leaving shortly after
NC0 returned at 7:09, no fish in her talons so must have eaten all of her meal. She was calling for more!
She has remained on the nest. NC0 standing quietly, at present, 7:50
The male has not been back