LLYN BRENIG - May 2023

Headless fish delivery just after 19.30.

LM6 doesn’t move for the fish. LJ2 stands with it for a wee while.

LM6 looks sleepy

Eventually LJ2 walks the fish round the nest. LM6 starts calling. LJ2 starts eating the fish.

LM6 eventually gets up off the chicks at 19.44. She picks up a fish end that was lying on the nest and uses that for the feed rather than LJ2’s fresher one.

After a few minutes, LM6 walks the fish over to the cam side of the nest to continue the feed.

A minute or 2 later, LM6 lets go of the fish beside the nest cup, tidies up scraps then shuffles onto the chicks and egg.

20.24 she gave the chicks another feed from the same fish.

23.30 Both birds still awake.

Tomorrow, egg #3 will be 36 days so there’s every chance it will hatch tomorrow. ️

Wednesday 31 May

Good morning Sandra, we’ll soon find out!

04.37 In the morning, LJ2 flew from the perch to the nest. He’d remembered a fish tail was still there.

He collected his breakfast and flew off with it.

LM6 got up to retrieve the other fish tail on the nest. She had a bite, walked away then went back for it.

The 3rd chick isn’t here yet.

She brought the tail to the chicks

but changed her mind, dropped it and settled back down to brood.

05.05 just after LJ2 returned for a visit, LM6 got back up and pulled the fish end from the nest cup. It’s bigger than I thought!

She had a nibble then fed the chicks.

09.38 LM6 returns after a quick comfort break. Still 2 chicks and an egg plus 2 nice feathers.

09.50 LJ2 arrives with a fine fish

He waits with his fish for LM6 to retrieve it.

She shows no interest so he flies off with it again after 3 or 4 minutes.

10.21 LM6 leaves for another comfort break.

She settles down on the chicks but leaves again at 10.24 Whilst away, LJ2 flies in with the fish again.

He walks with the fish to the other side, looking for his partner. The chicks are asking to be fed.

LM6 flies over the nest but doesn’t stop. She returns at 10.33. By this time, LJ2 has let go of the fish, leaving it on the nest.

LM6 still ignores the fish and settles down on the chicks.

LJ2 looks confused, so am I! He leaves at 10.38 with LM6 still brooding.

It is 11.23 before LM6 gets up to take the fish.

The chicks get a 5 minute feed.

LM6 starts brooding again, wiping her beak on nesting material.

LJ2 has taken the fish from the nest and returns with it again at 12.25. We now have a barricade at the front of the nest.

LJ2 then flies onto the nest to offer the fish. LM6 initially stays on the chicks, not showing any interest in the fish.

She then gets up and goes beside LJ2. He drops the fish and decides to deal with the new barricade.

It’s very awkward to move around the nest but he decides it should go at the other side.

I hope he didn’t stand on the egg or any chicks whilst crossing the nest.

At last LM6 takes the fish in her beak and begins another feed for the chicks. Initially only one chick presents itself

then the other joins in too.

Both chicks get fed.

Another 5 minute feed.

13.40 LM6 leaves the nest. She is away for 4 or 5 minutes and returns a few seconds in front of LJ2.

With LJ2 on the nest, LM6 leaves again to chase a crow.
She is then seen swooping down onto the water a few times in succession and soon after, swooping up and down again, having a bath.

She returns to the nest at 13.46.