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
18.34 The pair have continued to share incubation. LF25 having a preen on the perch whilst LM24 egg sits.
19.24 LF25 watching LM24 fly off as she prepares to sit on the eggs.
©️SWT,LOTL
May 20
04.14 First changeover this morning.
5.04 LF25 back in her favourite spot. A bit of preening and a bit of encouragement to LM24 to go fishing.
07.16 The first fish arrives, looks like a tiny whole fish, probably caught from under the nest area where the Lowes team videoed him the other day.
LF25 takes it.
She chooses to eat on the nest.
07.21 Once finished, she flies to the near side of the nest then leaves.
Sad news from the nest posted by LOL on FB
Oh my! Sad news indeed but understandable being their first year. I'll be thrilled to see one chick raised successfully to fledge. Thank you for posting!
Thanks for the update Belinda, I was on scroll back and just found the time when LF25 removed her egg. It sounded empty. It made me wonder if it was the time I saw LM24 stand on the eggs and I thought I heard a crack. However, it’s just happened today.
13.05
.
I'm hoping desperately that Glider will be here soon to help me with timings - I've been working on a video since just after @Belinda posted, but despite phoning a friend for his maths mind I cannot find LM24 removing the shell from the nest.
IMAGICAT
The destruction of the egg, with errors I dare say, especially the missing fade transition before the final clip
Well done Scylla, the most difficult nest to negotiate without a proper timeline, I have tried and failed many times, so hit and miss, don't know how Sandra managed so well!
Yes I agree with Wendy, you did an amazing video Scylla finding the moment she pierced the egg then disposed of it.
Sorry I’ve not been around until now, I’ll have a look for LM24 disposing of the shell.
Glider said:I’ll have a look for LM24 disposing of the shell.
Thank you, GLIDER - the thing was, they said he did it at 13:29, but by my calculation the egg was at the front of the nest at that time and then it went over to the right side and got tipped under nest material. But I can't tell you how confused I get, working out the times.