For this year’s opener, I’m starting with AG’s recent comments (end of August 2023-February 2024) which give an insight to what’s been going on at Llyn Brenig.
12/02/2024
“There are some posts on the Brenig Osprey Project Facebook page with camera trap images and videos of voles, foxes and a family of otters. There is also an appeal for additional viewing equipment. The osprey watchpoint has a new verandah which will be a better base for scopes.There is a volunteer recruitment event at Llyn Brenig on 25 February if anyone in the region wants to join the merry band.All details at www.facebook.com/brenigospreyproject”
01/03/2024
“Just a little more info on preparations at Llyn Brenig. The nest is on a pole in the water just into the reservoir from a peninsula, which was tree covered, As explained in the conservation plan plan prepared by Tim Mackrill, the trees have been felled over the last 2 years (they were mature and ready for use as timber). The brash from the felling has been gathered up and used to create a barrier across the peninsula in line with the hide which is there. Some tree stumps were left near the nest last year after the first stage of felling were used by the ospreys as perches for eating, and are still there. Last year the hide could not be used in moderate or high winds due to the risk of trees falling on it; that is no longer a concern. If you scroll up to Glider's post on 31 August above you can see the trees which have now been felled, and the hide in the middle of the line of trees.
Both cameras are still streaming - there is snow on the hills around the reservoir this morning.”
Background to the nest:-
Again, many thanks to AG who wrote this preface to the Llyn Brenig thread for us below. (I’ve just edited extra information)
Llyn Brenig is a reservoir on the border between Denbighshire and County Conwy in North Wales. It is managed by Welsh Water; the osprey project is a partnership between them and North Wales Wildlife Trust.
One pair of ospreys (Blue HR7 (M) 2014 Lake Menteith, Scotland and Blue 24 (F) 2010 nr Rutland) raised a single chick here each year from 2018-2020, Z9 (F) Luned, KA5 (M) Roli and KC5 (F) respectively. Sadly, KC5 died after fledging, colliding with a wind turbine.
Neither of this breeding pair returned in 2021, when the nest was taken over by 2 Scottish birds, LJ2 (male) and LM6 (female), both 2018 chicks. The nest was vandalised the night after LM6 had laid her first egg; while the two could not continue to breed they did stay close to the site until normal migration time.
A new nest was erected in 2022 with additional security and a streaming camera in place. A new hide was also built.
LJ2 and LM6 returned in 2022 and successfully fledged 2 chicks, X6 Olwen (F) and KA9 Gelert (M)
LM6 lost her blue darvic ring on the nest. It was later recovered by Welsh Water and kept for display.2023 saw LJ2 and LM6 return to breed and successfully raise 2 female chicks 7B5 (Dilys) and 7B6 (Mari)
RETURN DATES
2022 - LJ2 April 6th - LM6 April 10th
2023 - LJ2 March 31st - LM6 April 4th
2024 - LJ2 March 31st (07.02hrs) LM6 sadly hasn’t yet returned. Blue 372 (translocation Poole Harbour 2021) visited April 1st then stayed April 6th
Eggs laid 2024
#1 23 April - 17.40, #2 26 April - 19.28, #3 29 April - 15.46
Links to
August 2023 to February 2024
North Wales Wildlife Trust Page https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/days-out/ospreys-llyn-brenig
Welsh Water Page https://llynbrenig.com/llyn-brenig-osprey/
Osprey Project Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/brenigospreyproject
Friends of Llyn Brenig Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsofLlynBrenigBlue24
Llyn Brenig YouTube Channel for Live Stream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOGHtmoEY7w
Llyn Brenig PTZ camera for off nest live stream PTZ live stream
All captures and videos ©️ NWWT, Welsh Water, Brenig Osprey Project
LM6 (left) and LJ2 April 2023
I had no idea 372 had caught herself a fish yesterday whilst LJ2 was incubating. I haven’t seen any fish being brought to the nest for 2 days. I just put it down to me missing any deliveries. However, 372 had been fish calling and then at some point she wasn’t, making me think I’d definitely missed it. This explains everything!
I wonder if 372 caught one just after 6am as she didn’t return to the nest until 07.55?
She did a flypast. Was she carrying a fish?
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
I think LJ2’s been taking his incubation and nest building far too seriously and is not fishing as much as he should be.
Just caught up with great egg news
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Yes, Wendy, it looked a bit easier for this time.
05.06 372 came back to brood the eggs.
05.07 Looked like a successful mating
05.28 372 was asking for fish at this changeover.
More changeovers and materials brought to the nest throughout the morning.
05.46 Failed mating attempt. 372 was asking for fish again.
06.22 Another changeover
07.03 mating
08.05
Curly piece of bark brought by LJ2
10.10 Another changeover
11.16 At last, 372 gets a beautiful headless fish from LJ2
372 was certainly ready for it.11.17 she eagerly takes the fish
and takes off, initially struggling a wee bit to get up and away. Looks like a weighty fish!
11.19 LJ2 sat brooding the eggs.
12.33 He got up and flew off
12.57 Returning 24 minutes later
back on the eggs
13.24 372 flew in with the fish, accompanied by the sound of gulls
LJ2 got up, aware of the gulls and paused before moving towards 372
He then took the fish, which was still sizeable
and flew off
13.25 372 shifted some grasses, which blocked our view of the eggs
13.26
However, she continued to tidy out the nest cup and move one of the clumps of grass again to give us a partial view of an egg!
13.28 She sat down over the eggs a minute later.
14.02
We can hardly see 372 now!LJ2 is heard sky dance calling before he emerges from where he was feeding behind a tree. He flies upwards and over the nest calling loudly, skydancing for a few seconds before landing with the fish.
372 watches LJ2
LJ2 lands with the half eaten fish.
14.03 He waits for 372’s response but she doesn’t move.
LJ2 takes off with the fish again.
14.35 No skydancing from LJ2 this time, just a few contact chips on arrival with the fish.
14.37 372 sits, LJ2 waits and when 372 decides to get up, LJ2 flies off with the fish!
14.39 Whilst 372 was up, she had a wee move around and tidy up. We can see both eggs again.
14.54 After settling down, she got up again a short while later and again did some nest tidying.
15.21 372 got up again and left the nest. (LJ2 on a post.)
15.22 She’d have known LJ2 was nearby and he soon flew off his post to come to the nest, still with some fish remaining.
He walked his fish into the nest cup where he shook it off.
15.24 So he’s now brooding 2 eggs and a fish!
15.37 as LJ2 sat in the nest chewing some bark, 372 could be heard nearby calling.
15.38 She flew onto the nest and continued calling.
LJ2 didn’t move. With a final call, 372 left again.
15.42
15.51 LJ2 got up and saw the fish under the piece of bark.
He picked it up and dropped it again. 372 could still be heard calling.
15.52 LJ2 left as 372 arrived.He came straight back though to mate with 372, however she dipped her wing to reject him.
372 then proceeded into the nest cup to collect the fish. Merely just a tail and skin.
15.53 She collected it and then flew off with it.
LJ2 returned a few seconds later.
16.25 LJ2 stood up as he heard 372 returning.
16.27 LJ2 checked 372’s empty talon then flew off only to return to mate - successfully this time. 16.29 372 did some nest maintenance then sat on her eggs.
17.21 372 had been calling then LJ2 flew in.
She called some more whilst sitting then standing up.
372 leaves the nest
17.23 LJ2 takes a couple of minutes then begins his incubation.