Link to first page opener - here
Link to June 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) Sadly, this little chick died on 3rd June. It coincided with LJ2 having a leg injury and unable to fish at the time. I don’t know if this was the sole reason, part of the reason or something else. RIP little one
The family of 5 for a couple of days. Bob 3, RIP, in between #1 and #2
Four weeks later, our two thriving youngsters, #1 and #2 (36 and 34 days as at 01/07/23)
All captures and videos ©️ NWWT, Welsh Water, Brenig Osprey Project
12.11 LM6 gets up and goes to the fish.
The chicks aren’t too interested and LM6 has a solo feed for around 15 minutes before one chick arrives.
LM6 finishes off tugging at the skinShe cleans her beak around 12.47.LM6 leaves for a comfort break.
Around 12.54 LJ2 is on the preening perch
LM6 does a fly by (images magnified)
13.02 LM6 ate the tail of the earlier fish.
Around 13.20 LM6 is looking skyward and around the area. She starts chipping but not mantling.
This doesn’t last long then she joins LJ2 on the preening perch at 13.36
Do they see something?
LM6 starts preening, LJ2 is watchful of the surrounding area.
LJ2 suddenly flies offLM6 is surprised and stops preening to look all around.
LM6 doesn’t see anything and stays on the perch to have a lengthy preening session.
She is joined by LJ2 at 14.20
16.06 LJ2 arrives on the nest. LM6 had been looking to the skies. She starts chipping.
Another Osprey is seen.LJ2 sets off to escort it away.
,
16.22 LJ2 returns to the nest perch.
17.45 LJ2 arrives with a fish. It hits LM6 on the back on the way down!
LJ2 lets it go and one of the chicks takes it first.LM6 watches as the chick pecks at the fish, joined by its sibling
When she thinks they’ve had enough practice, LM6 takes the fish.
LM6 then leaves the nest with the fish.
and returns 2 minutes later.
The feed begins
LJ2 joins his family on the perch at 17.53 leaving again after 6 minutes.
LM6 continues feeding. I can’t see past her but hear the cheeps of the chicks at every bite.
By 18.23 LM6 is still feeding one chick and the other is resting.
18.39 LM6 is having some for herself with both chicks resting now.
She give a chick a straggly piece of skin (centre)
N
It has a good go but drops it. Mum hoovers up and eats more straggly skin.
The fish is finished just after 19.00.
LM6 and LJ2 have got the nest looking nice and cosy with the extra sticks around the edges and soft bedding. The chicks and LM6 are able to hunker down in the wind.
21.09 and LJ2 arrives with a late supper. Chunky headless fish on the menu. What a lovely sky tonight.
These chicks have been really well fed today.
LM6 shook the fish off her talons and feaked her beak at 09.45.
22.10 Looks like the rain is on its way.