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
15.54 LM6 does a quick egg check.
17.30 the wind is getting up
18.32 the wind doesn’t stop LJ2 from bringing in a nice half fish to LM6.
LM6 starts grabbing the fish with her beak whilst still in the nest cup.
She pulls it over the eggs and transfers to her talons.
LM6 then leaves over the water and round past the trees to the right and settles on the cut tree post at the very edge of the photo.
LJ2 picks at a few pieces around the eggs before settling on them. The wind is getting louder on the nest microphone.
19.37 LM6 returns to the nest with the tail and straggly skin.
She tries to release it but it’s caught in her talons.
LM6 walks across to the eggs, the fish skin trailing behind her.
She settles on the eggs and fish skin with a small piece, possibly the tail sticking out from underneath her.(circled)
20.15 LJ2 flies onto the nest. He doesn’t see the fish tail obscured by LM6’s body.
He flies off, later returning to the nest perch and then onto the nest at 20.40. He offers to incubate.
After he had settled on the eggs, he then noticed the fish tail that LM6 had left behind. He grabbed it with his beak.
And started to eat it.
He couldn’t do this properly on the nest. He made a single whistle (not one I’m familiar with) and flew off with the trailing skin. (Apologies for picture quality as it’s quite dark on the nest now)
LM6 then returned to the nest. (LJ2 circled)
She settled down on her eggs for the night.
Switched to night cam 13 minutes later.
Here’s a nice photo of LM6 who stopped on the perch for a short while around 19.10 before returning to the nest with the straggly skin fish tail.
Friday 28th April
Good morning Looks like LM6 was on the nest through to 05.30 when LJ2 flew on to take over incubation.
06.30 LJ2 sill there now
LM6 has been having a good old preen on the perch.
LJ2 has given a lot of support on the eggs today, leaving more time for LM6 on the perch ensuring her feathers are in good condition.
LM6 on the perch at 12.00. LJ2 stays on the eggs so she flies off again.
She does return 7 minutes later though to sit back on the eggs.
13.50 LM6 on the perch in the sunshine.
13.57 LJ2 enjoying the sunshine on the nest.
The couple have continued to share incubation this afternoon.
18.45 LM6 is currently on the nest.
19.42 LM6 was sitting quietly then started fish calling.
Her eyes followed LJ2 (presumably) around the nest.
19.47 all is quiet again but LM6 is still having a good look around.