Many thanks to AG who wrote this preface to the Llyn Brenig thread for us (below)
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 raised a single chick here each year from 2018-2020. Neither of this 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 has been erected in 2022 with additional security and a streaming camera is in place. A new hide has also been built.
Links to
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/channel/UC8_OrcBilBcFmDQVGgrk2ng
09.00 LJ2 returns to take the fresh fish. This prompts LM6 to get up to claim the tail end of the old fish and feed the chicks. LJ2 has a nibble from his fish too. This would have been a lovely opportunity for him to feed the chicks as well if he was so inclined!!
A glare from LM6!
She claims the tail end.
Both ospreys eating from a fish at the same time, although LM6 is sharing it with their chicks!And off he goes. LM6 continues feeding the chicks.
Around 10.12 there is an Osprey calling from above, like a sky dancing call. LJ2 is quickly onto the nest with his half eaten fish.
He is chipping whilst LM6 stays glued onto the chicks.
He starts mantling so the intruder must be really close.
After a few minutes LJ2 leaves with his fish flying off to the front.
LM6 is still on alert and keeping an eye on a crow which flies onto a tree nearby. It moves on though and peace is resumed.
Around 11.12 LM6 gets back up to give the chicks yet another feed from the tail of yesterday’s fish.
Both chicks are up quickly. LM6 moves into position to block our view of the feed!
Although you get occasional glimpses of #1
After both chicks settle down, LM6 moves back a little to feed herself. #1 then decides to get up to beg for more and gets it.
I think there’s only about the tail fin left after this!
14.07 LM6 goes for a comfort break. The chicks stay huddled together to keep warm.
LJ2 returns to the nest with a half eaten fish, I presume the same one he caught earlier.
LM6 quickly joins him and takes the fish.
After a few minutes, LJ2 departs shedding his skin, but leaves a leg behind!!
LM6 was left feeding the chicks but soon remembers the old fish tail from yesterday and goes to the back of the nest to retrieve it.
She is a bit wobbly coming back.
The chicks are peeking underneath wondering why they’re not being fed that nice fresh juicy fish! The tail end gets eaten and LM6 resumes with the fresh fish, then settling down on the chicks leaving the fish to the side.
Been a busy day here! 14.28, LM6 having a preen in the sun. She then gets up to retrieve the remaining part of today’s fish.
It’s nice to see the chicks getting such regular feeds when there are fish left on the nest.
12.06.22 Good morning everyone. First feed of the day at 05.05 as LJ2 delivers a very much alive fish.
2nd fish arrives 10.02
#1 is feeding really well and it’s crop is filling up. #2 is slower up to the feeds and doesn’t take as much. LM6 keeps trying to encourage it to take more.
3rd fish from LJ2 at 14.30
Hello #1 Out for a wee peek just a few minutes before fish #4 arrived at 16.17.
#2 was up and quickly to the front for a feed and got plenty of mouthfuls from mum.