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
Later, around 19.30, with no sign of the ospreys returning, a crow comes to the nest looking for scraps. However, as far as I’m aware, LJ2 hasn’t brought any fish to the nest yet since his return on Friday. A lovely Spring evening here at Brenig, that has been revealed due to the recent felling of the trees, opening up the skyline.
April 2nd
07.00 Good morning, all quiet and frosty here with the sun breaking through. Let’s see what today brings.
Glider said:LJ2 sits at the edge for a preen,
I meant to say yesterday that he's a very pretty bird
IMAGICAT
15.05 URF arrives at the nest, closely followed by LJ2 with a fish. He started mantling whilst she waited.
She continued waiting, LJ2 continued mantling
but on approaching LJ2 to take the fish, he flew off with it
and landed in the cut back tree ahead of the nest. LJ2 proceeded to eat the fish there.
16.37 and after lots of calling from the female, LJ2 returned with the half fish.
This time, he allowed the female to quickly take it.She went to the outer rim of the nest to eat it. LJ2 stayed on the nest with her.
After the female finished her fish, she started calling for more!
She was very persistent but her calls fell on deaf ears!17.55 LJ2 took his chance to mate with her instead. The second attempt looked successful. LJ2 did some nestorising. He caught her with a stick
she grabbed it to put it back! LJ2 retired from the nest around 18.40, with fish calling still in his ears.
URF stayed on until just after 20.00 when she left to roost. She’ll be expecting an early morning breakfast no doubt!