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
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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
NC0's dulcet tones could be heard echoing around the reserve prior to her landing on the nest at 9:38
It wasn't long before the male arrived with a stick
He the pecked at the end of the 'log' NC0 brought in yesterday
He then attempted to move it. NC0 was shouting for fish!
He then used it as a perch
He flew off to the right after just after an almost 3 minute visit
NC0 remained on the nest until 11:02 but then returned at 11:05 after a quick break
The male delivered a small headless fish at 11:09
She eagerly took it from him
He cleaned his beak
She began to tuck in straight away. It sounded as if she was enjoying every beakful
He flew off
She remained on the nest to eat
She was calling for more at 11:25
At present, 11:45, NC0 is quiet. Beautiful blue sky at the moment!
©SWT/LotL
The male brought the latest colourful adornment to the nest at 13:55
A bunch of brown leaves
After his flight away a couple of minutes later, NC0 began to silently flap her wings
She altered her position and began to mantle
She chipped a couple of times
Then calmed down. She preened
Watchful
She has spent a lot of time on the nest today but has had a couple of breaks
NC0 left at 16:19 and headed to the birch
She left there at 16:36ish to land on the cam post
Movements suggested she flew off from there just before she landed on the nest at 17:52
17:04 She is, at present, calling for fish
The cam went offline at 17:17. NC0 was still on the nest fish calling up until then
No new YT URL as yet
New YT URL from 19:57
ENS since coming back online
The male arrived with a stick at 20:30
It was quite evident, when he landed, that he was sporting a full crop - let's hope NC0 had some of that fish too!
He stood there quietly looking around
He appeared very relaxed during his visit
He flew off at 20:34
NC0 paid a short visit at 20:56 - she was fish calling on her approach and on landing
She opened and closed her beak as if she had enjoyed a meal
Just over a minute later, she headed off in the same direction that the male had
The male came back at 21:15 with a small stick
He spent a fair bit of his time nestorising
He even nestcupped
A brief pause...
...before back to nest tidying again
More nestcupping
He stopped his hard work and quietly looked around at 21:19
Then flew off at 21:20
And was continuing to fly behind the birch
It has remained ENS since then. Pre night cam, 23:07
At present, 23:17
Just an average Sunday - bit of DIY! Thank you so much for this wonderful update as always Sandra
Morning Julie,
You're very welcome!
I haven't checked through this morning's footage so far but the male delivered a live fish to NC0 at 10:11. Skydancing could be heard prior to his arrival
The cam zoomed in
She was very vocal
She walked to the back of the nest with the fish firmly in her talons
She began to eat her meal
He flew off at 11:13
A brief pause in eating...
Then back to it!
10:15 Two gunshots heard! She paused and looked in the direction of the birch area
Then back to continue her meal
The cam went back to pre-set at 11:16
NC0 had finished the fish at 10:20 - she cleaned her beak
She called for more
10:39 Just before the cam went on a 'tour'
Little birds have nibbled the mic covering
The cam then went into a spin
NC0 could be heard calling, away from the nest, at this point
A quick zoom on the birch
Then back to pre-set at 11:42. It was ENS
Still ENS at present, 11:12
BFN
At 13:12, NC0 was on the nest (the male had only left a few minutes beforehand after delivering a stick!). She became very alert and began to flap her wings
She made her way to the back of the nest doing the same
The BTO ringed female intruder landed
NC0 turned around on the perch
NC0 then made her move to oust the intruder
She leapt up
NC0 gave chase
The persistent intruder was only on the nest for about a minute or so. NC0 was quiet throughout
There was a headless fish delivery at 18:14
Gosh, she was very vocal!
She was still vocal while eating
He flew off at 18:16
NC0 remained on the nest to eat