Intruder pale male Osprey destroys the eggs of Laddie & NC0: Loch of the Lowes 7 May 2024

At about 14.00, one of the many intruders who have been visiting the nest landed and started nest scraping purposefully. The young unringed male sets to with enthusiasm, and by the time he departed around 14.50, had turfed out two of the eggs and left the third off to the side.
NC0 won't have to make any decision about her three eggs following the shocking unexpected death of her mate Laddie, she has been abandoning the eggs for long periods of time in order to feed herself. Therefore this is a good thing, as now NC0 will be able to move on and perhaps take another mate this season. If she paired up quickly, there is an outside chance for a second clutch, but more realistically, the new pair would spend time bonding and start a family next year. RIP Laddie, gone before your time..
Many thanks to Scottish Wildlife Trust for allowing me to capture this footage from their nest cam at Loch of the Lowes.
From Scottish Wildlife Trust Osprey project:
The webcam at Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre & Wildlife Reserve offers a close up view of life on a Perthshire osprey nest.
Visit our website to see how you can support our work, and how you can stay on top of the action:
scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/...

[@GeemeffGeemeff]

At about 14.00, one of the many intruders who have been visiting the nest landed and started nest scraping purposefully. The young unringed male set to with enthusiasm, and by the time he departed around 14.50, had turfed out two of the eggs and left the third off to the side. NC0 won't have to make any decision about her three eggs following the shocking unexpected death of her mate Laddie, she has been abandoning the eggs for long periods of time in order to feed herself. Therefore this is a good thing, as now NC0 will be able to move on and perhaps take another mate this season. If she paired up quickly, there is an outside chance for a second clutch, but more realistically, the new pair would spend time bonding and start a family next year. RIP Laddie, gone before your time..

[@dannesys]

I was horrified at seeing this at first but then read your comment, Geemeff. It now seems a positive thing though something hard to stomach for us sensitive humans. Thank you for posting.

[@suzycat2026]

Thanks @Geemeff We will all mourn & remember LM12 King of the Loch of the Lowes 💜 RIP Laddie🙏🏻 You are right about the choice being taken away from NCO, it's all hard to take , but it's best for her. Prayers for her safety & I really hope she doesn't abandon her beutiful nest here.

[@rontaddyangel3682]

Geemeff Thank you for the latest sitrep as we all await the investigation outcome. RIPLaddie 🙏🥲 A True Osprey King 👑

[@maggiejj]

The whole situation at Lowes is so sad and I feel for the staff and volunteers there , they must be heartbroken. But I agree the eggs probably would not have been viable and maybe NCO will bond with the intruder with a happier outcome next year. We will never forget the awesome Laddie though ❤

[@anniemac3075]

Nature steps in, I suppose this is the logical end for the eggs sadly. Hopefully NC0 will be OK & at least now she won't put herself at risk for eggs that had no chance of becoming fledglings without Laddie to help parent them. Very sad end to their relationship. Thank you for letting us know about this.

[@uffo200]

Thank you for the information Geemeff

[@alisonskelton5340]

I was really sad to read about Laddue. I just hope a human didn't end him. RIP

[@eah8101]

Did they post the circumstances? - e.g. how, where, and in what condition he was found? - depending on that info, it seems foul play via humans is the most likely explanation, but you never know - very sad turn of events at this nest

[@GeemeffGeemeff]

@@eah8101 Not yet, all we know is that he was found near his nest, and that the police are investigating. We await formal updates from either SWT or the police. More likely that SWT will provide the update., but it could take a while as there will be samples sent off to the lab after the necropsy, to determine the cause.

[@Solstice261]

​@@eah8101we only got a call for information, which probably means they found something weird, but that doesn't necessarily mean there was any human involvement, people are beginning to get tired of raptor persecution so having it happen to a beloved bird in a wildlife reserve would be very risky for the shooting industry

[@honjam]

Thank you, Geemeff. Sad, but inevitable, and we can move on, but we'll never forget Laddie ❤

[@suzycat2026]

I was just waitung for your report @Geemeff . So sad to see this live.. I understand why SWT cut the stream.❤ It's better to see a male Osprey do what's natural, than laughing Crows.. Hoping there may be a chance NCO will stay to protect her home ( even though her reason for the Season is sadly gone ). She has not been around so much today, I pray for her safety.🙏🏻

[@GeemeffGeemeff]

The camera's been up and down, I don't think LotL cut the livestream deliberately. The famous pair at Rutland, Maya & Blue 33, started their relationship after newcomer 33 ousted her current mate and kick the eggs overboard. Maya didn't have a second clutch, she and 33 spent the rest of the season pair-bonding, and came back the following year as an established pair and have since fledged many Osplets. Fingers crossed it goes that way for NC0 too.

[@suzycat2026]

Thanks for replying @@GeemeffGeemeff I'm sure you must be feeling sad too. Maybe twas just the timing of the outs that made it seem that way. So worried for NCO , she had not returned up until it got dark. We are helpless watchers, & as you say, she may accept this new Male in time. Prayers for her protection & for all of our lovely birds.😥

[@6699Jackie]

Such a sad outcome, rest in peace Laddie xx

[@susandennis347]

Agree with all the previous comments . Commiserations to all at LoTL. And thank Geemeff for your explanation. So sad about Laddie

[@keithparker7031]

Considering that this intruder male basically ruined this nest, will NC0 make use of this nest next year with a new mate? Or will she/they build a new nest somewhere else? I have to admit that this was the perfect location for a nest cam. The view over the lake in the background was beautiful. Sadly, is it possible that we have seen the last nest view from this particular location?

[@GeemeffGeemeff]

I doubt this nest will go to waste, I think NC0 will carry on using it, with a new mate. Should she decide to go elsewhere, I feel confident another pair will take up residence.

[@TheHarper11]

Tragic.

[@browneyedcarney]

I only just started to watch this nest shortly before the eggs were laid. I'm truly sad that this is the outcome and of Laddie's death, but hopeful for new beginnings! Nature is truly wonderful, and we know this is part of it. This is behavior I've never experienced before. Thanks to all of you who spend your time with these beautiful birds!

[@lesleybrown5793]

Such a shame but nature has resolved all outcomes ! Nicole will hopefully bond with a new male thanks Geemeff for you knowledge and insight much needed in these circumstances ❤

[@christine5557]

😢

[@keithparker7031]

I had no idea of the name of this nesting pair of Ospreys until I saw this video. I watched the pair raise a family last year, and it was wonderful watching their family grow and leave the nest at the end of the season. Now that I know their names, what happened to Laddie?

[@AndyMac48]

Laddie was last seen on Saturday 27th April within the reserve - staff thought that he was chasing an intruder osprey - at the same time his partner of 5 years NC0 was incubating their 3 eggs. Sadly, this was to be the last sighting of Laddie. Laddie in the past was known to ‘disappear’ for a couple of days but he would always return, however after a few days staff at the reserve were becoming concerned regarding his safety. After day 5 NC0 left the nest as she had not been fed, as it was Laddie’s responsibility to provide food for her and any chicks, if hatched. Over the next couple of days NC0 began to leave the nest more frequently and by her actions the chances that the eggs would be viable was decreasing. It was on Saturday 4th May that the Police and staff issued a press release confirming the body of a male osprey, thought to be Laddie, was recovered near the reserve. The cause of death was not detailed but they were looking for information. Obviously, this was heartbreaking for the staff and for people who follow the nest. In addition, NC0 more or less gave up on the eggs, she must have known that the chances of successfully raising a family on her own was next to nil. Then, as you have witnessed an unringed male osprey kicked out the eggs.