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
20.49 LM6 starts calling again
LJ2 lands on the nest, empty taloned. LM6 looks over to check.
She continues to call and LJ2 leaves and returns within a few minutes.
21.03 LM6 is still calling. LJ2 has decided to have a preen instead of fishing tonight.
Saturday 29th April
Good morning LM6 had a peaceful night on the nest. She lay face planked when in deep sleep.
There was a shower of rain around 03.40
LJ2 arrived at 05.05 to take over.
Day cam came on at 05.22 to reveal a misty morning.
LM6 went straight to the perch to freshen up, starting with a good old head scratch.
Then the preening began.After 50 minutes she returned to the nest. LJ2 had been making soft contact calls.
The mist started moving around 07.50. LM6 was feeling sleepy.
The mist was gone by 08.30 and at 08.35 LJ2 flew in with a stick
He more or less just left it where he landed.
Lots of contact calls between the birds as they swapped over.
LM6 left and LJ2 settled down.
09.33 changeover as LM6 arrives back.
LM6 and her eggs.
10.48 LJ2 returns. There seems to be a lot of small black flies around the nest this morning.
It’s been busy around the perch area.
Here is LJ2 multi tasking a stretch and preen
A small fishing boat has passed by
a family of ducks under the perch
LM6 rather ruffled in the middle of her preen.
The weather turned from sunny to wet. A wet LM6 was on the nest at just after 16.00. She started calling loudly. After a minute or two, LJ2 flew past the nest carrying a fish.
LM6 continued calling then LJ2 landed on the nest.
LM6 continued calling but made no move to get up.
LJ2 waited, LM6 called, LJ2 flew off with the fish.
He landed on the tree post circled.LM6 started calling again and LJ2 returned at 16.24.
This time LM6 got up straight away.
and took the half eaten fish.
She then flew off.
17.40 LM6 returned to the nest. The weather was a lot brighter again.
18.45 LJ2 brought a small stick in.
18.57 They were both on the nest. LM6 made a couple of calls, they looked around then a few seconds later left the nest.
LM6 flew first
LJ2 then followed her off.
They flew around the immediate vicinity
and within a minute, LM6 flew onto the perch. LJ2 flew past.
LM6 then returned to sit on her eggs.
I don’t know what that always about. All seemed quiet.
19.40 LJ2 returned to take over incubation.
Around 20.40 LM6 returned to take over for the night
and settled down.
Night cam came on at 21.10.