Link to August 2022
With last year’s male LJ2 arriving on the 6th of April and partner LM6 the 10th of April, I thought I would start a thread now for the new season in case they return earlier after a successful breeding season last year. The nest and surrounding area has recently been prepared by Welsh Water for our pair’s arrival.
Background to the nest:-
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 and successfully fledged 2 chicks, X6 Olwen (F) and KA9 Gelert (M)
LM6 lost her blue darvic ring on the nest. It was recently recovered by Welsh Water and kept for display in the exhibition later this year.
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_OrcBilBcFmDQ
All captures and videos ©️ NWWT, Welsh Water, Brenig Osprey Project
Thursday 6 April
Good morning. Both birds arrived together on the nest just before 6am. LJ2 went straight into mantling position.
Just after 7am, both birds arrive on the nest, LJ2 assuming his courtship mantling again.
Around 8.30am, the birds spend some chill time at the nest, LM6 leaves and returns with a stick which she places around the nest before finally leaving it.LJ2 comes down off the perch to mate. It might have been successful as her tail was up this time.
09.25 LM6 starts fish calling. LJ2 responds with another mating attempt. A bit wobbly.
10.42 and they’re both back on the nest. LM6 fish calling.
I noticed yesterday and again today, she spends a lot of time looking down into the nest. Wonder if there are wee beasties crawling about there off the greenery? Another unsuccessful mating attempt.
11.45 After being off the nest, the birds return, LM6 is calling. LJ2 comes over to mate, again unsuccessfully. He just can’t get into the correct position.
13.14 LM6 can be heard fish calling off nest (quietly compared to some females!) LJ2 flies in with some moss.
Around 13.15 LM6 landed on the nest then flew to the perch. She waited around an hour ‘till LJ2 returned…… with more moss.
She’ll need to get more demanding with her fish calls!
Just before 4pm, LM6’s fish calling is louder and more incessant.
LJ2 has been to and fro concentrating on enhancing the nest, ignoring his mate’s calls!
19.20 Well, LM6 has waited all day for this and it was worth the wait. A beauty of a headless trout for supper.
Glider said:19.20 Well, LM6 has waited all day for this and it was worth the wait. A beauty of a headless trout for supper.
She was iin fine voice:
IMAGICAT
Thank you Scylla, I’m glad to hear her “dulcet tones”, just like her distant Scottish cousins!!
Both birds flew onto the nest early this morning around 05.30.
They left then LJ2 returned to sit on the perch. He was still there when daylight cam came on. LM6 joined him around 06.30. LJ2 assumed his mantling position.