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
10.00 LJ2 is doing some nestorising whilst LM6 is eating the fish. He repositions the big clump of earth/grass LM6 was moving yesterday.
10.50 LM6 flies onto the nest after having her fish.
She only stayed a few seconds then left.
12.45 LM6 is back on the nest. LJ2 flies in with a half eaten fish.
She has a look but walks away, still full from the whole one she had earlier.
She does some nestorising and cupping.
13.31 LJ2 returns with the tail end of the fish.
LM6 does not come to the nest but can be heard chipping quietly, like contact calls.
She must be on the cam pole as LJ2 comes over to look up there. He waits a few minutes then flies upwards with a trail of dangling fish skin.
15.00 Views on the perch cam just now, although not accurate timing with the nest cam which shows no birds.
They’re both snoozing on and off.
There seems to be plenty of mating attempts but the ones I’ve seen don’t look too successful. I hope there have been successful matings that I’ve missed or I’ve misread some.
Fallouts with the neighbours again.
LJ2 first around 19.45
He returns to the nest then LM6 takes over. She’s up for it!
LM6 was last on the nest and flies to the perch to roost again.
Thursday 20th April
Good morning A dry, windy day on the nest this morning.
LM6 slept on the perch all night. LJ2 had a successful mating with her around 04.40 on the perch. Another couple of attempts on the nest didn’t look successful. Hopefully more success as the day goes on. They’ve been reunited for 16 days now.
LM6 on the nest just now. 06.37.
Looks like it has been a quiet morning on the nest.
LM6 has been there most of the time with LJ2 back and forward. No fish deliveries yet.
LM6 has had a few moments of snoozing on the nest.