Link to first page opener - here
Link to May 2023 - here
Recap:-
LJ2 returned 31 March 2023
LM6 returned 4 April 2023
Egg No. 1 laid 20 April - Hatched 27 May (37 days)
Egg No. 2 laid 23 April - Hatched 29 May (36 days)
Egg No. 3 laid 26 April - Hatched 1 June (37 days)
LM6 LJ2
So far so good! The first 2 chicks are doing well, the 3rd just hatched this morning.
LJ2 flies to the nest before leaving again at 14.50
17.47 LJ2 flies in with the next meal.
LM6 takes the fish from LJ2
Both chicks are up and asking to be fed.
They move in close to LM6.
The feed finishes around 18.05 with both chicks being satisfied. LM6 has a little more herself.
LM6 then walks to rest on the cam side of the nest.
Approximately 19.36 LJ2 brings a fish to the nest. I think it is a small whole fish but find fish difficult to make out with the nest shadowy in the evenings. Anyway, it was well received by LM6 and the chicks.
Chick #2 (left) getting a bite
#1 (right) feeding too
Feed finished 19.45 and LM6 back brooding the chicks.
21.31 another delivery from LJ2, definitely a live one this time.
It was a bit wriggly for LM6 to take but she managed.
#2 was over first with #1 behind.
#1 moves in closer and joins the feed.
LJ2 leaves to chase off a crow.
The chicks are enjoying a good feed, both eager to grab every bite.
Feed was fast and furious, finishing at 21.38. LM6 with a few contact calls was keen to brood the chicks.
21.59 LJ2 returns to collect the leftovers for his supper.
Around 22.15 LJ2 stops off at the nest before flying to the perch to roost for the night. Looks like the fish was finished off.
I make that 5 fish today which is the most LJ2 has brought in this season albeit on other days he’s provided 2 much larger fish. The family is doing well again after LJ2’s injury and the sad loss of #3.
Friday 9 June
Good morning Looked like quite a windy night and still this morning as LM6 was huddled in low over the chicks at 04.10
No fish brought in yet by LJ2. He may be otherwise busy. LM6 was intruder chipping and flapping at 06.23 Sky dancing could be heard.
More chipping at 06.59.
Unknown said:Great walk round Gors Maen Llwyd with NWWT yesterday, including a good view of the nest from the side away from the watchpoint. A bit chilly and blowy for the 10.30 start, but by the time we finished it was very warm. Good view of the nest jus after 12.00, and of LJ2 eating a fish on a stump close by. Unfortunately a missing part on my tripod prevented me from developing my digiscoping skills. Other highlights included a hen harrier and a redstart, as wall as the predictable skylarks, meadow pippits, buzzard, swallows, sand martins etc. Good chat with the team at the watchpoint afterwards, and some interesting sharing of information on fish species in the diet; LJ2 has brought in some sea fish, but the Conwy estuary is only around 12 km from Brenig for an osprey - its a lot further by car!
That sounds great AG, what a lovely day for you. You got to see LJ2 eating a catch and other fabulous birds too. Interesting about LJ2’s sea fish. He often brings in a long slim fish that looks black on the nest and I’ve no idea what it is!
Ugh, these pages are taking an age for me to load today.
Anyway, back to the intruder incident this morning. It seems to have arrived around 06.16. LJ2 had just caught a fish, hence the skydancing calling during the chase. On the PTZ camera, the intruder landed on the perch at 06.23 and 06.28. It had a blue darvic ring on its right leg but with this camera having no night vision, it was too dark to make out.
I tried to brighten and magnify but the numbering is too smudgy to read.
The original photo
LJ2 (and his fish) chased the bird off the perch
At 06.24 LM6 left the nest to give chase too but returned to her chicks within seconds.
LJ2 fleetingly landed on the nest with his fish
The intruder landed on the tree in front of the nest, soon followed by LJ2 to chase it off.
By 06.45 things had started to quieten down with the occasional chipping from LM6
07.06 LJ2 delivered his well travelled fish.
LM6 quickly took it
and the hungry chicks got their feed. #2 nearest to cam.
Maybe Brenig will post who the intruder was.
After the first feed of the morning finished, at 07.32, LJ2 landed on the nest to take away the fish.
Around half an hour later at 08.00, LJ2 returns with the fish after having a feed. LM6 takes it.
LJ2 stays vigilant on the nest, he sees something and starts chipping. LM6 then joins in chipping too.
LJ2 flies off to escort the intruder away, LM6 continues chipping and starts flapping on the nest.
She is then able to resume feeding her awaiting chicks.(#1 left)