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
Just dosing in the sun….. wake up! Fish #2 arrives!
Still very windy out there.
Unknown said:Love to hear about those fish deliveries Glider. Thank you
You’re so welcome Cirrus. I just wanted it documented with it being their first year breeding after losing their nest last year. It’s all going really well so far.
A nice pike delivered at around 13.50. LJ2 was on the nest 3 times before landing in a suitable place to hand over to LM6.
With both chicks having had enough, LM6 was able to finish off the tail end herself and the feed was finished within around half an hour.
Due to losing some sticks with the winds, LM6 decided to bring more in and shift some around to reinforce the nest boundaries.
This large one was a bit tricky to manoeuvre and initially landed on chick #1’s back! LM6 momentarily left it there to tackle another stick at the other side of the nest
Before returning to put the tricky stick in place.
Chick #1 got in on the act, trying to move a piece of bark when LM6 had left.
At around 15.27, LJ2 arrived with a small lively fish. He took 3 attempts at landing again. The wind is very blustery at the nest today.
In the meantime as LJ2 assessed the conditions for handing over this very lively fish, LM6 found some scraps on the nest and started eating. LJ2 then decided to fly off with the fish for himself.
This was just under 40 minutes from the last fish being delivered so the chicks would still be satisfied after that. I’m sure LJ2 will be back with another soon enough!
Around 18.25 LJ2 arrives with a whole fish
It still looks alive and LM6 makes sure she gets a secure grip with her talons.
LJ2 leaves the nest and LM6 prepares to feed the awaiting chicks. She takes a bite then stops and looks around. A call is heard from nearby and LM6 takes off with the fish. The chicks pancake.Less than a minute and LM6 returns, the chicks stay pancaked.
After a slight pause, she begins the feed and the fish is consumed within 20-25 minutes.
The chicks are huddled in as best they can under LM6 to keep cosy. Around 21.30 LJ2 arrives with a small fish.
These chicks are so good at feeding time with no aggression shown (hope I haven’t jinxed this!) LM6 shares the fish between them and it’s quickly gone in around 5-6 minutes.
The chicks are quickly cosied in again.
Good morning. The wind stayed through the night and it’s a blustery morning. Nice wee perch delivery at around 4.40.
LJ2 was up and down a few times trying to pass the lively fish on. As he put his wings out to balance, he’d be lifted up again!LM6 stuck to the task though and safely got the fish. She started feeding the chicks straight away.
07.20 second fish arrives. Chick #2 was on lookout duties with mum!
Fish is under LJ2.
You can see the feather patterns coming through on chick #1’s back (R) with chick #2’s not far behind. (L)
They move to a better feeding position.
After half the fish has been fed, LM6 flies off for a quick comfort break, the chicks stay low, close together against the wind. LM6 returns and quickly cuddles them in.