Very unfortunately our dear Sandra is still unwell and undergoing more treatment and so is unable to start off Lowes for the new season ... with her permission I will do so and bring across all her great info from the opener of June 2024 thread, all her carefully gathered info is far too valuable to be left behind!
Get well soonest Sandra, we miss you xxx
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
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
We must not forget ...
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 2024
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
Last seen dates: NC0(16) - 13.8.24 Dark Intruder - TBC ... see Scylla's video below
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
17.8.24: LotL Fb .>>> Migrations?
17.8.24: SWT YouTube >>> Last Osprey Sightings of the Summer?
20.8.24: LotL Blog >>> Osprey LM12 died of natural causes
23.8.24: LotL Fb >>> Dark Intruder still at Lowes
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
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This may be LM24 waiting for someone to collect his fish:
IMAGICAT
It's the female Scylla. Male had left a couple of minutes before
Absolutely huge partial fish! Would have loved to have seen him catch that! It's been an all day fish for her
I do hope this isn't part of a balloon the male brought in
Tried to enlarge but goes fuzzy, can't think what it could be
Looks like LM12 brought the green “plastic” in at around 14.45
He lifted it to place it on the nest.
Close up. It could be a balloon as Billy suggested?
The female has been on the nest for a lot of the day.
18.06 This was happening when I looked at the live cam.
LM24 mating attempt. The female’s tail was fully lifted. He needs to work on his angles!
He flew up and back down on again. She’d had enough now and shrugged him off.
Female fish calling.
©️SWT, LOTL
18 April
This morning's arrivals - since then there have been more ins 'n outs 'n matings and at least one stick - but no fish yet.
Great news, thanks for that Snowleopard
So grateful for the update. Looking hopeful, fingers, talons and everything else crossed.
Female was waiting for fish, he popped in and out a couple of times but not with fish, she flew for the final time about 1h15m ago.