It is with a heavy heart that we write to let you know that the remaining osprey egg at Loch of the Lowes was predated by a crow on Sunday evening. 

Despite promising behaviour that suggested the resident female, LF25, may have sensed hatching was underway, she had been spending longer and longer periods off the egg over the last few days. This culminated in her flying off the territory entirely on Sunday afternoon, leaving the egg unprotected from potential predators.  

We’re not sure why there was a sudden change in LF25’s behaviour. It could be she sensed something was not viable with the egg – perhaps it was damaged or unfertilised. Alternatively, something could have spooked her, or it might simply be inexperience from a first-time breeder. 

Although the crow did not make off with the egg or eat it, the egg was damaged and has been buried out of reach, deep within the edge of the nest. It is important that we don’t lay any ‘blame’ for this outcome on the crow. The key issue is that the egg was being left uncovered for extended periods of time, opening the door to potential predators. The crow simply did what many other birds would have done in this situation. 

Both LM24 and LF25 have been back to the nest since and briefly tried to ‘incubate’ the empty nest cup.

 

The nest sitting empty after the egg was predated.

 

Despite the obvious disappointment, there are many positives to reflect on so far this season, including the bonding of a young, first-time breeding pair, who have managed to assert themselves on territory and become the resident, breeding ospreys. That they successfully laid and incubated at least one egg to almost hatching is evidence that the pair are strong, with the male providing a plentiful supply of fish throughout and both successfully defending their territory from other ospreys. 

First-time breeders certainly face a steep learning curve, and hopefully this season’s experiences will put LM24 and LF25 in a better position to breed successfully next year, should they return. Meantime, we expect them to continue to hold and defend their territory for the rest of the season, until they migrate towards the end of the summer.  

Our Wildlife Protection Team, who are supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, will continue to monitor the pair and all the other wildlife on the loch, to give them the protection they require to continue the season free of disturbance.