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
19.26 LM6 looking lovely bathed in light from the setting sun.
Time wise on the perch, at 20.00 LJ2 arrived to sit beside LM6 who was already there. He had a small piece of fish in his talons. I don’t know if it’s the same one that he gave to LM6 earlier. I’ve scrolled back and when she returned from eating the fish, her talons were empty. So either they’d passed the fish off the nest or he’s caught another for himself.
Tuesday 18th April
Good morning LM6 spent around 3 hours in the nest cup up from midnight. She then left it but stayed on the nest.
LJ2 came to visit around 4.45. (Front)
Views from the cams just now 06.32.
Around 10.23 LJ2 was doing a bit of corvid chasing this morning. LM6 got a bird’s eye view from the perch. She did initially duck as the corvid came towards her.
LJ2 in hot pursuit down over the water’s edge.
And again about half an hour later
After things quietened down, around 11.50, LM6 decided to do some serious nest rearrangement. She picked up a large clump of earth/grass in her beak
and dragged it over to the rim of the nest,
only to take it in her talons and walk it over to the opposite side. She still moved it around a few times after that!
12.21, yes, LM6 is in the photo - under the branch she’s trying to rearrange! Or she’s maybe trying to hide from the corvids!
Some time on the perch together (LJ2 at the front)
17.54 LM6 starts to ask for fish
19.09 small fish delivery
Wednesday 19th AprilGood morning LM6 came to the nest just after day-cam came on. I think she roosted on the perch all night.
06.29 she’s calling for fish but LJ2 is otherwise busy chasing corvids again.
08.50 LJ2 brings a freshly caught fish to the nest.
LM6 ready and waiting to receive it.
And off she goes.