The reserve at the Loch of the Lowes has been run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/re ... the-lowes/ since 1969 and is a monument to good conservation practice and volunteerism. Every year the nest is under 24-hour surveillance and the public can view the whole spectacle on high quality webcam here: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/th ... es-webcam/
Since I started watching there has been success and tragedy but happily overall it has been a good story with plenty of young Ospreys fledging.
Every year the same routine unfolds with the male bird arriving at the nest in March and immediately commencing renovation work on the large structure - the female usually arriving a week or so later. They will both have made the long journey from their wintering grounds in West Africa - south of the Sahara. When the female arrives and after a bit of an old court the female settles down the serious business of egg laying (2-4 eggs) usually 3 since I have been following the site.
The male spends his time fishing and bring food to his mate as well as taking a turn at incubation while she stretches her wings and whatever else. After 35-37 days the eggs start to hatch in the order that they were laid, this means that in a critical food situation the strongest chicks survive whilst the youngest may not be so lucky. Last year the third chick starved to death due to being weaker than its two siblings.
After 50+ days the young can fly but still depend on the adult birds for another month or so before departing for Africa towards the end of August to begin the whole cycle again.
The latest from the Scottish Wildlife Trust below:
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/20 ... the-lowes/ LM12 has arrived back at Loch of the Lowes
He’s back!
We’re delighted to confirm that LM12 appeared back on the nest at Loch of Lowes on Sunday 13th March at around 12pm. As you can see from the video clip, it only took a few seconds for him to begin moving sticks, in preparation for the season ahead!
This will be LM12’s eleventh breeding season here at Lowes. This is also the earliest date that he’s appeared by a couple of days (see a full list of arrival dates below).
We’re really hopeful that we will see his mate NC0 make an appearance by the end of the month, which will truly kick start our season.
Please keep watching our live webcam to avoid missing a thing!
LM12’s arrival dates
2012: 30 March
2013: 24 March
2014: 21 March
2015: 22 March
2016: 25 March
2017: 16 March
2018: 29 March
2019: 15 March
2020: 21 March
2021: 21 March
2022: 13 March
The Trust’s Osprey Protection Programme at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Be sure to check-out the webcam and see if get you get hooked.
