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
LJ2 pops by just before 8am. There is a lot of gull noise in the background now! LM6 checks above.
LJ2 returns a wee while later to swap incubation duties with LM6.
After LM6 has returned and is settled on the nest, LJ2 flies down at 10.00 intruder calling.
Skydancing is heard but no intruder is seen on camera. A few minutes later, after things quieten, LJ2 leaves.
It’s been a quiet day after that. LJ2 has been on the nest many times for a visit or to take over incubation.
Here he is edging into LM6 for his turn.
As the day went on, just after 14.30, LM6 has been asking for fish.
There has been much pruning on the perch when the birds have left the nest.
There was also a different visitor, probably looking for scraps of fish.
Just before 3pm, LJ2 nearly took a tumble when a gust of wind blew him over.
He was fiddling about with the nesting material when the wind got under one of the wings then his tail went up.
He stuck his beak down as his body got pushed over
He fell into LM6
and her wings went up.
They had to unhook from each other as LJ2 started to turn around
and regain his balance.
Sorted!
LJ2 having a preen earlier on the perch.
17.54 LJ2 comes in to brood but LM6 just wants a fish!
19.32 Has LM6 noticed something? She is staring intently towards LJ2’s fish preparation area.
I was admiring the view with the beautiful colours from the evening light of the sun when a wee hailstones’ shower started!
However, it doesn’t show up in my screenshot very well. The couple of thin diagonal white lines from the right is it!
20.04+LM6 is calling and LJ2 arrives at the nest……………. with nothing.
She keeps calling
Well I’ve checked again to see if there were any fish deliveries that I’ve missed and can’t find such so I reckon since LM6 refused a fish yesterday and wasn’t offered one today so she’s not eaten since Saturday 22nd. (The fish she circled around the nest with 5 times, being pursued by gulls!)
Anyhow, I did manage to take a better screenshot of the hail at 19.13 tonight! You can actually see white dots in this snap!
Hopefully an early fish for LM6 tomorrow morning, Glider, fingers crossed