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
07.04 LJ2 returns with the fish. He has started on the head.
He nibbles at it whilst LM6 decides if she wants it or not.
LM6 reaches over for a nibble herself
then stands up to take it.
They have a bit of a tussle exchanging talons.
Fish secured, LM6 starts eating on the nest.
She then decides to leave and LJ2 gets his chance to incubate.
LJ2’s incubation doesn’t last long as LM6 is back 12 minutes later.
He gets up and starts fiddling around with bits in the nest cup. He settles back down again.
LM6 lifts her talons to walk and LJ2 gets up so they can swap over. LJ2 leaves.
LJ2 has been back and forward helping to share incubation when LM6 allowed.
At 11.25 he brought a headless fish to the nest.
LM6 got up
but she didn’t take the fish. LJ2 flew off.
14.36 LJ2 returned with the fish.
He waited. LM6 was doing plenty of “talking” but made no effort to take the fish. LJ2 took the fish in his beak
and flew off with it for the second time.
15.28 LJ2 made his 3rd appearance with the fish.
He walked it around the nest to entice LM6. It worked.
She came over to take it.
and flew off with it at last.
LJ2 got straight to work with the housework! He shifted the awkward grassy lump that keeps getting in the way.and after more tidying, LJ2 settled down.
He didn’t get long on the eggs. Corvid/Osprey noise was heard in the background and LM6 flew onto the nest at 15.42 with a Corvid behind.
LJ2 got up and set off to chase the corvids to give LM6 some peace.
LM6 started eating the fish on the nest. LJ2 in the distance.
After a few mouthfuls, LM6 went to the nest edge to call for LJ2.
He never came so she went back to nearer her egg and ate more fish.
LJ2 soon returned at approximately 16.00.
He headed straight to the nest cup and LM6 flew off with her fish. Peace at last!
Around 17.08 LM6 returned clutching a tiny piece of fish in her left talon.
LJ2 got up off the egg and left. LM6 started eating the small piece of fish.
She didn’t take too much then shook it off her talons.
She walked to the nest cup, picked off a small piece of moss and turned her egg.
Then settled down. (The piece of fish circled behind her)
Around 17.47 LM6 got up to stretch her legs. LJ2then flew onto the nest and collected the fish tail that LM6 had discarded earlier.
He flew off with it in his beak.
Approx 18.09 LM6 got up and spied something to eat.
It was very stringy looking.Her right leg seemed to be caught in it. I was worried it might be fishing line. However she picked at it and managed to free her
leg and ate whatever it was. Fish sinews?
LJ2 had joined her on the nest but had to leave abruptly to chase another bird. Looked like a goose? LJ2 above the circled bird in hot pursuit.