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
17.45 LJ2 does some deep cup scraping. There’s moss flying everywhere!
He has a new camouflaged look now, It’ll be even harder to spot him on the nest! 19.00 LM6 still hungry and waiting.
19.30 At last, she sees LJ2 incoming with her meal. She calls out to him.
And what a decent headless fish it is.
LM6 quickly moves in to take it
and off the fish flies.
LJ2 remains on the nest most of the time after LM6 leaves with the fish. As nightfall encroaches, he watches the corvids gather and leave. He leaves himself at 20.22.
Many thanks for your updates on here, Clywedog and at Alyth, Glider, much appreciated
April 10th
Good morning on Easter Monday
You’re welcome Sandra. If forums are looking quiet, I just like to put something up to keep them current!
This morning, LJ2 was on the nest not long after day cam came on around 06.13. A few minutes later LM6 joined him. He tried to mate but she didn’t lift her tail. He flew off and she stayed on to do some nest tidying.
Like most places today, the weather has been terrible. Summary up to 13.30:- Both birds have been on and off the nest, mostly individually and occasionally together. There has been successful and unsuccessful mating (usually on LM6’s terms).
Sticks and moss clumps have been brought in and the nest is shaping up nicely.
LJ2 scrapes in the cup.
A quiet afternoon. LM6 is on the nest for a bit, leaves, returns with a small stick later around 16.13. A few seconds after landing, LJ2 flies in to mate
He leaves (black circle) and flies over to tree area marked as red square.
LM6 stays on the nest for a few minutes more then leaves at 16.25.
The birds have continued to bring nesting materials onto the nest. 17.50 LM6 with a big stick.
She fixes it in place.
Waits on the nest for a wee while before going to the perch. 18.12 LJ2 flies onto the nest.
He sets about moving bark to the side and clearing the nest cup.
After spending some tidying, LJ2 tries to mate with LM6 on the perch but she doesn’t lift her tail. 19.00
He flies off and LM6 returns to the nest to continue preening.
She then goes back to the perch to finish off. She’s still there now. 19.20.
Thanks Karen, you’re welcome.