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
Darkness fell, night cam came on and LJ2 was still on the nest. 21.21 he left for a comfort break and returned 5 minutes later.
21.52 LJ2 left the egg unattended again. 7 minutes later LM6 flew in at a pace and nearly crash landed at the nest’s edge.
She’ll be settled on the egg for the night now.
The thing was, Glider
... I did this snap in isolation, as a token:
...but then I checked the thread and saw your, as always conscientious, reporting so I thought I owed you a video and have been at it for blooming ages - I trust it gives an accurate impression - I stuck the happy ending snap on the end, but am very sad that I forgot to do the sound afterwards.
IMAGICAT
Aw Scylla, I love it!!! And the happy ending photo finishes it off perfectly. Thank you.
Sunday 23rd April
Good day and I hope it’s an easier one for LM6!
Here she is at just after 05.30 this morning when LJ2 arrives for the first changeover of the day.
It’s over 3 hours before LM6 returns, just before 09.45.
LJ2 flies off in a loop to come back to mate. Egg no. 2 is due later today.
LM6 quickly shuffles herself into place, keeping that egg nice and cosy.
LM6 had had a good old preen on the perch
and a bit of yoga
Looking good
LJ2 has been back a few times to visit the nest. He did another quick (12minute) egg sit at 11.42.
When LM6 returned, LJ2 flew off straight away.
However, he came back to mate. LM6 just wanted to get on the egg and shrugged him off. Undeterred, he flew back once she was settled in the cup and mated again.
12.45 LM6 doesn’t realise that LJ2’s actually preparing her lunch just now!
The PTZ camera has been scanning the area.
It found LJ2 in amongst the cut tree stumps/posts.
Zoomed in and here he is with a freshly caught fish,
Some more views from the PTZ camera earlier this morning.
This shows the location of the perch (left) which the birds use to preen on in close proximity to the nest to the nest. (right)
The operator then scans further to the left showing the perch next to the land that has been especially prepared for the ospreys.
A little further to the left we see the chopped trees where LJ2 was sitting with his fish.
So maybe LM6 can see when he is here with her next meal!!
13.30 LM6 looking relaxed on the nest just now.