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
Good morning A very wet start to the day here.
LM6 incubated overnight with her usual quick comfort break. She left the nest for under 30 seconds around 04.23 returning to the perch then back to her eggs.
She stayed on the nest even after LJ2 came to visit at 05.40. He stood by her for just under 10 minutes.
07.26 LM6 got up from her eggs and went for a quick comfort break.
She returned just over 40 seconds later.
08.50 LJ2 arrived with a good sized fish. LM6 remained on the eggs. She made a call to him but still didn’t move to get the fish.
A crow flew to the tree beyond the nest.
LJ2 flew towards the crow and displaced it, settling on the tree branch with his fish as LM6 looked on.
LJ2 didn’t stay long on the tree and returned to he cam pole at 09.05 before flying onto the nest with his fish. LM6 looked up.
LJ2 gently fluttered down.
LM6 was calling but made no move to retrieve the fish. She kept looking around. It’s such a miserable day, rain and wind, must be cold too.
LJ2 waited a wee while then flew off again with the fish.
09.27 LM6 got up from the eggs. She had a wee stretch.
She remained standing and LJ2 flew back in with the fish.
Again, she showed no interest, didn’t even call. LJ2 flew off. LM6 looked around and settled back on the eggs.
10.55 LM6 still on the nest. Still windy and rainy.
There’s not going to be much fish left by the time she’s ready to eat.
11.23 LM6 stands up off the eggs and flies away past the trees in the front and round behind the nest.
A few moments later LJ2 flies onto the nest with the fish, which is still sizeable, good lad!He walks it into the nest cup and then lets go. LM6 soon joins him and goes towards the nest cup. I’m thinking “Is she going to brood the fish as well?!”
Thank goodness No! She collects the fish and is off with it at last.
Finally leaving LJ2 to have a turn incubating the eggs.
LM6 stopped on the perch a couple of times to eat some of the fish.
Fishy beak!
12.55 After finishing the fish and having a preen, LM6 returns to the nest and LJ2 departs.
14.05 LJ2 joins LM6 on the nest.
He goes down to the nest cup to move some sticks.
LM6 takes the hint and flies off.
LJ2 aerates the eggs before beginning his incubation.
14.21 LM6 doesn’t stay away long and wants back on the eggs.
She shuffles back on the eggs as soon as LJ2 stands up.
14.39 I can’t keep up with these two today! LJ2 comes back wanting to incubate. He gently shuffles next to LM6
Then starts picking up nesting materials and rearranging them.
He gets his way and LM6 flies off leaving him with the egg care.