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
About 18.38, LM6 left the nest for a comfort break. LJ2 was there within 10 seconds.
He did his usual nest cup tidying
and spotted LM6 as she flew past.
When LM6 returned, she initially went to the perch for a few minutes then returned to the nest.
LM6 just now settled down for her second night of incubation.
Some snaps from the perch cam today.
Saturday 22nd April
Good morning Looks like LM6 had a peaceful night. A couple of leg stretches and a visit from LJ2 at 05.17. LM6 took this opportunity to have a comfort break and stretch her wings.
LM6 was back 8 minutes later.
Just after 6am, LJ2 joined LM6 again.
He did some nestorising around her to encourage her to get up.
It worked and as soon as LM6 stood up, LJ2 was straight into the nest cup. He moved the annoying big clump out of the way
and we got a view of the egg again.
LJ2 relaxed in the nest cup after he’d sorted out the wee bits around the egg.
He even enjoyed a wee moment or two of shut eye
Good to see LM6 taking a decent break this time after her long stint overnight. She returned at 06.55, almost an hour later.
LM6 had had a good preen on the perch.
Followed by LJ2.
09.20 another changeover on the nest for egg duty.
LJ2 has offered a lot of support today to egg sit and LM6 has accepted. He has brought in gifts of bark and funny shaped sticks but no fish yet,
There have been matings on the nest as well preparing for the next couple of eggs.
LM6 on the nest at 17.15.
18.45 LJ2 arrives with a headless fish, escorted by mobbing gulls.
LM6 is calling for the fish and moves in to take it.
After she secures the fish and has a look around, LM6 leaves the nest.
LJ2 has a bit of tidying to do around the egg before he settles down. However, he doesn’t get the chance as LM6 then flies past being chased by the gulls.
LJ2 is on alert, keeping watch
It’s all a bit frantic, the swooping, the gull calls, Poor LM6 flies past the nest 5 times trying to shake them off.
She then manages to stop behind this branch circled.
It quietens down. LJ2 commences with his housework.
LJ2 then settled down………………. but
I think a crow flushed LM6 out of her resting spot and she made a dash back to the nest with the fish.
Both birds stood and had a good look around, a couple of gulls flew past. Then when all was seeming quiet, LM6 left again.
A gull called, LJ2 reacted and immediately left the nest as well.
He came back a minute later, staying alert. After he decided the danger had passed, he then settled down to brood. All seemed relatively quiet. The occasional Corvid call filled the air. The rain tapped down gently.