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
11.33 Chicks are chilling
11.54 LM6 joins them on the nest perch
13.17 The skies darken
And hailstones start to fall, in July! I don’t know if the chicks know what to make if it. They stand up and flap their wings a bit.
13.19 LM6 flies from the perch to join them on the nest
The sun comes out
13.23 Think the hail has stopped now. LM6 has a good wing flap.
Xxxx. LJ2 flies in with a fish
He lands at the back of the nest. LM6 doesn’t go over to collect the fish. LJ2 drops it and walks around the nest.
The chicks start pecking at the fish
7B5 drags it over the nest
It’s like she’s telling LM6 to take the fish to feed them!LM6 takes the fish and begins the feed.
For once, we can see the feed!
7B6 (lying down) calls each time she receives a piece
18.01 LM6 swallows the last piece of the fish.
18.57 My don’t we look big now! 7B5 (right)
19.40 LM6 settles down with her chicks.
Later, LM6 has some time on the preening perch. 19.52
21.54 LJ2 arrives at the nest with a small piece of fish
LM6 follows him on
It’s a small feed for the chicks
21.58 Finished!22.28 After some crow chasing, LJ2 joins his family. All at the nest area for the night.
Sunday 9 July
Good morning Daycam came on at 04.26 and the only sound to be heard was the crows. No wind, no rain, nothing!
04.39 LM6 left the nest and ended up on for the preening perch.The clocks aren’t in sinc. The preening perch is about an hour behind real time.
(Showing 03.43)LJ2 soon joined her on the perch.
They’ve been on the perch for most of the morning since with odd trips off.
05.06 The chicks have been preening too along with stretching and resting.
05.41 LM6 has brought pieces of nesting material.
06.48and arranged her sticks on the nest.07.22 Look at that beautiful blue sky.
Today, the chicks are 44 and 42 days old.
08.09 All the family together.
09.01 Hello 7B6
09.22 LJ2 arrives with breakfast.
LM6 takes it, the chicks are cheeping
The feed begins. The wind is back as can be heard on the audio and seen blowing around the nest.
09.44 Looks like 7B6 has had enough and withdraws from the feed.7B5 eats on
10.07 Looks like 7B5 has withdrawn and LM6 continues with the tail end of the fish.
Some tricky stringy bits to pull
10.30 LM6 swallows the last piece.
11.41 The chicks stop preening to watch as dad flies in with a branch. Yes, LJ2 is holding onto this!
There are pieces of the branch sticking out in all directions.
In a bit of a tangleLJ2 just leaves it where it landed and flies to the perch.
13.36 LM6 looking at the new branch on the nest.
13.38 As the weather is changing and rain starts to fall, aLM6 moves down closer to the chicks.
13.57 LM6 is off nest, LJ2 flies on with a piece of fish. He decides to start feeding the chicks.
One chick is getting all of the fish, the one hidden. I suspect it’s 7B6 but came say for sure.14.00 LM6 flies onto the nest.
LJ2 carries on feeding. 7B5 pulls at a stringy bit
14.04 LJ2 starts feeding 7B5
and a little head appears underneath, yes, it’s 7B6 taking the fish!LB5 wants the fish too
LJ2 flies off and leaves them to it.
LB5 ends up with the fish.
LM6 stays close by as 7B5 tackles eating the fish.
14.13 As the weather worsens, they all lay down on the nest.
14.24 sun is out, rain stopped and LM6 has collected the fish from the nest that 7B5 had had earlier.
LM6 feeds the chicks
15.17 weather changed again, rain back on, chicks trying to shelter under LM6.