Loch of the Lowes (Scotland) Osprey

[seira]

April 17

egg

[seira]

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... w4meYEuYcl
We are 'eggstatic' to announce that NC0 has laid here first egg of the season, 21 days after her mate LM12 returned from migration.
Her labour last 6 minutes and the first egg 'plopped' at 10:48am, in a welcome break from the strong winds that have been blowing for the last week.
Keep your eyes peeled to catch a glimpse of it in the deep, cosy nest cup.

[seira]

April 20

two eggs

[seira]

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... fXcidryKgl
Right on cue, at 10:53am NC0 has laid her second egg of the season, 3 days after the first arrival on Wednesday. With the great crested grebes also doing lots of head bobbing and dancing on the loch and the leaves bursting on the trees, Spring is certainly in the air!

[seira]

April 23

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... JfKBThYfcl
It took a wee while longer in coming, but we are delighted to announce that NC0 laid her third egg at 8:47pm on Tuesday evening.
It looks like the egg spent a little longer in the 'paint factory', as it is easily distinguished by the dark red end on it. Egg 2 is the palest of the clutch and Egg 1 somewhere in between. This should make tracking each egg a little easier during the incubation period and help predict which one is likely to hatch first in about a month's time.




April 24

[seira]

April 30

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... SqhyYbxwyl
Those of you who are followers of the osprey webcam will probably have noticed that we haven't seen much of our male osprey LM12 since Sunday lunchtime, when he headed off after several hours of incubation.
Each season he seems to go on a bit of a hiatus for a few days, possibly when he is engaged in chasing off other intruding osprey. These pursuits have been known to take in vast distances, time and energy between the ospreys involved.
It's likely that he has returned to the area briefly since then, as NC0 began fish calling later on Sunday evening and again at dawn on Monday morning - something she wouldn't do unless she caught sight of him.
She has been doing a fantastic job of keeping the eggs warm, though she will definitely welcome the chance of a break and a meal, having last eaten on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile we are keeping our fingers crossed that he returns soon, and with a fish as an apology!
Many thanks to Marcus Tyler for the fabulous shot of LM12 from a few weeks ago.

[seira]

May 2

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... WvRxEh4kWl
Thank you to everyone who has been getting in touch about the latest on whether male osprey LM12 has been sighted since his departure on Sunday lunchtime.
Unfortunately, it is 4 days now since we last saw him depart the reserve after a period of incubation, heading off on what looked to be a fishing trip. Sadly, there have been no sightings since, or calls since the start of the week from NC0 that would indicate he is around.
For a breeding osprey to have been absent from the nest for this long is highly unusual, so it is likely that something has happened to LM12 preventing him from returning. Whether it is injury, illness, or something else such as entanglement we just don't know.
Staff, neighbours and volunteers have been out scouring all the known fishing spots and lochans for a sighting, but to no avail. We are very grateful for their effort and time.
It has been humbling to watch the determination, commitment and care NC0 has given to incubating her eggs for such a long period without a proper break. However, it is now 5 days since NC0 last ate, which is typically the point that a female will be forced to leave the nest to hunt for herself.
We have seen NC0 become more restless over the last 24 hours, taking regular flights around the loch to stretch her wings and no doubt see if she can spy LM12. Those flights appear to have become more frequent and fish orientated this morning, as she has been regularly circling the shallows for an opportunistic catch.
Ultimately, should she eventually have to leave the nest to hunt, she will have to risk leaving the eggs exposed to predation and becoming chilled.
All that said, you can never write LM12 off. We are still holding out for a hero's return, but realistically that window is closing.
We are very grateful for the advice received from Tim Mackrill, and everyone's support and kind words, but please understand that this is both a busy and emotional time for staff, and as such we are not in position to answer all your questions.

[seira]

May 3

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... fs4da8ry7l
An update from the osprey nest.
It's been a rapidly developing situation here at Loch of the Lowes. Sadly, we still have had no sighting of our breeding male LM12. Without a delivery of fish for over 5 days, self preservation and hunger finally took over yesterday and after many shorter flights, NC0 finally left the nest to go and hunt for herself, leaving for an hour each time at 12:41 and 15:49.
It's likely that had she caught a fish, NC0 would have come straight back to the nest to eat it in situ and keep the eggs safe. Although the eggs were uncovered for an hour on each occasion, the warm weather could mean that they are still viable.
Later in the afternoon and evening we observed the first osprey intruding activity for many days with 3 birds in the air at one time. The situation was fast moving and complex, but having pieced it together it looks like there was a pair and one other individual at large. One of the intruding osprey attempted to land on the nest which NC0 did not tolerate, however she did permit it to sit on the perch.
This osprey was then chased off by a darker bird, one of which then returned to sit on top of the camera. Again NC0 tolerated this, and began to food solicit. Throughout this whole period there were lots of defensive 'chipping' calls coming from around the reserve. However, there was no sign of LM12, so we can only assume he was not in the mix and these were other birds prospecting the territory.
After the bird on the camera flew off and the very dark intruding osprey with distinct markings (thought to be a male) sat for extended periods on the split birch tree throughout the evening. It attempted to land on the nest on several occasions, which NC0 flapped off. Despite this NC0 continued to food solicit to no avail.
Fast forward to this morning and there was another attempt from the dark osprey to land on the nest. This bird was later observed fishing on the loch and caught what looked to be a large perch, but failed to lift it. NC0 again was food soliciting throughout.
Just to make things complicated a lighter male osprey has also been sitting on the split birch this morning, which we think is the same male that sat on the perch last night. Whilst its markings did make us take a second look due to their similarity to LM12, the behaviour was all wrong, with no calling from NC0, or attempt to come to the nest and relieve her. The bird also appeared to be a little heavier set than LM12. It later flew off after a period of brief sky dancing from another male. Having checked our photo records we think that both these birds could potentially be osprey we saw intruding at the nest last year, however both being unringed makes things a little tricky.
At the time of writing NC0 has begun to take further extended flights again, first to wash her talons and then to look for fish in the neighbouring loch. At this stage we have to assume LM12 is unlikely to return and the priority is that she feeds herself, though no doubt intruding osprey vying for her territory will be making her even more reluctant to leave.
Ideally, after feeding herself (and assuming LM12 doesn't return), we can only hope she will accept and pair with a strong, dominant male showing interest in the territory and begin to create a bond for next season. Unfortunately, any new male will not accept her eggs, as was sadly observed at Loch Garten yesterday. Of course it could be that she gets ousted completely and a new pair take over the site, but for now she is standing firm.
We can only sit and wait to see what unfolds next.



Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve
Good news for NC0, after nearly 6 days without eating, she has returned after a short 30 minute fishing trip with what appears to be a huge rainbow trout! What a lass!

[seira]

May 4

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... BjzVNrvvgl
It is with a very heavy heart that we announce that a dead osprey was found near Dunkeld yesterday (Friday 3 May) believed to be LM12.
This evening, Police Scotland has issued a statement appealing for any information that the local community might have that could help establish the circumstances of death.
The team are devastated at this news and we know that many of you will also be. Given the ongoing police investigation, we are not able to provide any further information at this time but will share any updates as they become available.
https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-h ... d-kinross/


Heartbreaking

[seira]

May 5

a male !

[seira]

May 7

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... QNpEf9cvrl
Following the desperately sad loss of LM12, it has been encouraging to observe NC0 spending more time off the nest caring for herself by bathing and heading off on several fishing trips. The eggs have not been viable for several days now, after an extended period of exposure at night in the rain. Given that NC0 would not have been able to incubate them to hatching and raise any chicks without her mate, this was to be expected.
Since Thursday afternoon there have been two male intruders paying her attention and although NC0 has tolerated them sitting on top of the camera or the perch, she has seen them off as soon as they try to land on the nest.
One male has been a very distinctive darker bird, with an unusual large pupil in his right eye. The other bird is much paler, with markings on the back of his head similar to NC0’s ‘rocket’ at a distance. One of his distinctive features is the pretty ‘guy-liner’ at the edges of his eyes.
With NC0 having left the area this afternoon presumably on a fishing trip, this paler male landed on the nest at 14:18 and spent the next 35 minutes trying to nest scrape and kick out the eggs. He finally succeeded in flicking one out of the nest cup onto the edge, kicked another one clean out of the nest, and crushed the remaining one under his foot.
Believe it or not this is a good outcome for NC0, as it should help her now move on from periodically trying to incubate the eggs, and make her more receptive to accepting this new male. Should she decide to pair up with this new male, it will not only make it easier for her to retain and defend her territory, but also allow plenty of time for the pair to develop a strong bond for next season. Of course, it would help things along if this new male were to start woo-ing her with some fish.
It's early days yet though, and with lots of young osprey due to return into the country any day now, there could be a lot more interest in the nest and in NC0. We will have to see how things unfold in the coming days.

[Ferenz]

Eggs laid:
Egg #1 - 17.4.24 (10:48)
Egg #2 - 20.4.24 (10:53)
Egg #3 - 23.4.24 (20:47)

*Eggs destroyed on 7.5.24, by an unringed, pale male Osprey. Deemed unviable due to being chilled and left for periods without incubation

https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestov ... --may-2024

[seira]

May 9

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... kUmHDXgkrl
We last wrote updating what had been happening on the nest on Tuesday evening, when the 'Pale Male' intruder came in and crushed one egg, flicked the other out of the nest and kicked the other onto the edge of the nest cup.
Later that evening NC0 returned to find her nest in disarray, rolled the remaining egg into the nest cup and attempted to incubate it for a short period, before leaving the nest for the night.
The 'Pale Male' returned early next morning (Wed 8th) and spent time rearranging the nest and bringing in sticks before finally crushing the final egg and flicking the remains clear out. Some time later he returned to defend the nest, loudly guard calling (chipping) and squealing at a sky dancing osprey (thought to be the 'Dark Intruder') overhead. He flew off the nest to give chase.
NC0 wasn't seen until later that evening when she returned to the nest, making a contact call on landing with an enormous fish. She then spent considerable time eating on the nest before flying with it out of sight, no doubt out of the eyes of hungry crows, one of which picked the nest clean later that evening.
Fast forward to today (Thursday 9th) and it was the turn of the 'Dark Intruder' (with the large right pupil) to spend time on the nest. We think at this point NC0 flew past round the Point with her fish, briefly pursued by the male, before he returned onto the nest again. It wasn't long before the 'Pale Male' put in an appearance and walloped the other osprey clean off the nest! The two were then seen chasing each other off reserve and as yet haven't been seen since.
Finally, at around 15:40 NC0 returned (without her huge fish) to her favoured 'Split Birch' perch, where she has been preening and digesting her large two-day meal .
Who knows what will happen in the next few days!?

[seira]

May 13

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... EAw5PBDsDl
A lot has been happening in and around the osprey nest since the ‘Pale Male’ destroyed NC0’s eggs on the 7th and 8th May, and looked to be the dominant bird taking an interest in the territory. We last saw him on the webcam knocking off and chasing the ‘Dark Intruder’ from the nest on the morning of Thursday 9th.
We were surprised therefore to see the ‘Dark Intruder’ as the osprey who returned later the next day to lay claim to the nest. It has been frequently seen on the nest, chipping at passing overhead threats, preening on top of the webcam and generally hanging around the reserve since.
Meanwhile, NC0 has been sighted regularly on several of her favourite perches and haunts off camera including the ‘Split Birch’, which she successfully fished from last night. She has been eating well and at the time of writing is tucked away on a quiet perch eating a good-sized rainbow trout , which she looks to have caught herself.
Saturday 11th was a particularly interesting day, where the ‘Dark Intruder’ defended the nest on multiple occasions from the 'Pale Male'. However, later that afternoon a fish exchange was observed between an osprey (thought to be the ‘Pale Male’) and NC0 away from the nest. This osprey took off and left NC0 to her meal. It wasn’t long however before the ‘Dark Intruder’ landed next to her and began trying to beg for food and even tried to pull it from her! Eventually, a spectacular chase ensued and NC0 dropped her fish before landing on the nest, where she sat for some time.
Since then there appears to have been a cool ‘Entente Cordial’ between NC0 and the ‘Dark Intruder’, and both were seen on the nest this morning, with the ‘Dark Intruder’ even starting to rearrange the nest. Despite calling for fish all morning, the ‘Dark Intruder’ continued to preen on top of the webcam, before NC0 finally went off to hunt for herself, returning with the large rainbow trout mentioned above.
Once again we witnessed the ‘Dark Intruder’ trying to solicit food from her, before finally heading off presumably to fish for themselves, or perhaps finally impress her with a catch!
It's fascinating viewing, and a complex jigsaw puzzle we are trying to piece together. There are bound to be other twists and turns, and potentially another swing in the dominance of the two osprey interested in the territory, which could be made even more interesting with the return of two-year olds returning to the country for the first time!
1; 'Pale Male' in the air © Mark Westgarth
2; 'Dark Intruder on top of the webcam © Mark Westgarth
3; NC0 and the 'Dark Intruder' © Scottish Wildlife Trust Webcam

[seira]

May 21

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... ayCRAkdgtl
After a tumultuous few weeks for our female osprey NC0, it has been heartening to see a positive bond begin to form and slowly develop between her and her suitor the 'Dark Intruder'.
Read more to see how they've been getting on in the blog below
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/20 ... -the-nest/

[seira]

May 31

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... HcWLr1XMKl
Life for our resident female osprey NC0 and her new beau the 'Dark Intruder' seem to be settling down into a tentative daily routine. Although the young male's behaviour is sometimes reminiscent of skulking at the edges of a school disco, he seems to be finding his talons and becoming more self assured.
Find out what's been happening in the blog below, including an exciting visit from intruder Blue '7C1'.
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/20 ... prey-nest/

[seira]

June 20

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... 2YWVxtBGFl
Thank you all for your patience, we are pleased to let you know that the livestream is back up and running again - hopefully the gremlins will behave themselves now!
Life on the nest for resident female NC0 and her new partner 'Dark Intruder' (DI) has been a settled routine of preening, fishing and hanging out on the nest, or more often than not on top of the camera and some of their favourite perches around the reserve.
There have been a few osprey intruders from time to time, with two females in particular being quite persistent and taking an interest in the nest.
The first on the 13th June was a Scottish ringed bird, but unfortunately has lost her colour ring so we can't ID her, and another unringed female yesterday (19th) who was on and off the nest for much of the day, often with both NC0 and 'DI' present. Neither of the females were particularly aggressive and were mostly tolerated by NC0 until she finally decided she had enough and chased them off.
'DI' continues to hone his fishing technique, still preferring to opt for jack pike and made three such deliveries to NC0 on Monday. Both seem content in each other's company so the bond appears to be developing nicely, along with 'DI's' nest fettling!
You can follow developments via the webcam here; https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/th ... es-webcam/

[seira]

July 10

Dark Intruder

NC0

[seira]

July 17

NC0 and Dark Intruder

[seira]

July 25

https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... K7J1JEdhgl
We are still seeing both our resident female NC0 and her new beau the 'Dark Intruder' around the reserve; preening, eating, nestorating and defending the territory.
A few day ago we had a visit from 'Blue 247', a three year old born near Tain and sighted in 2021 in Sengal. From the plumage it looks like this could be a female. She certainly seems to like the area, having intruded on the nest last season and earlier this year.
We have also had several visits in the last week from a couple of unringed intruders. These are all likely to be youngsters who have not yet established themselves on a territory and are hoping to claim some prime real estate for next year.
NC0 and 'DI' have defended the territory well throughout the summer and continue to strengthen their bond. It won't be long however, before the pull of migration begins to beckon and they leave our shores for another year.
Make sure to come and visit the reserve before they head for sunnier climes.