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
O 12.34 Dilys having a long look down below the nest.
Both chicks have been wingercising, still just little jumps at the moment.
12.39 Dilys
and Mari 13.00
12.58 LM6 (nearnest cam) spent some time on the preening perch with LJ2
leaving just after 13.52 to return to the nest.
13.53 LM6 gives a single soft contact call to the chicks as she lands.
All the girls preening together
16.50 Dilys looking over the edge of the nest again. LJ2 seen on the treetop in the background.
17.03 An alarm call is made by LM6 off nest, the chicks pancake and LJ2 flies off the tree.
17.10 LM6 returns, she makes an intruder chip but then nothing after that.
19.27 The chicks are alone on the nest when LJ2 flies in with a fish.
He holds it until LM6 arrives.
19.28 When the chicks approach the fish it starts flapping and jumping
With wings everywhere, LJ2 still manages to hold on
LM6 manages to take the fish after LJ2 is able to let go.
19.29 LM6 begins the feed.
Thursday 20 July
Good afternoon It’s been a quiet day on the nest.
Some morning snaps
05.48 Chicks in the nest with an adult on the perch
06.32 LM6 with the chicks
07.40 The yearning to fledge, lots of looking down below
07.52 LM6 has been bringing in moss
08.55 I suspect it’s LM6 on the perch
09.30
10.38 LM6 with more moss
LJ2 on the tree top
12.55 LJ2 still there so no fish for a wee while yet!
LM6 decided to go and get a fish herself. 13.56
She’d already started preparing it for the chicks.
LM6 is watching LJ2 fly around the area.
14.30
14.47
An intruder in the area 14.47
I’m going out now, will continue later.
14.47 LM6 started chipping and mantling. LJ2 joined her on the nest. 14.49
He was chipping and mantling too.
14.54 After a few minutes, all was quiet again and LM6 started eating the fish once more.
14.54 LJ2 flew off
15.03 LM6 was eating then stopped again, looking around. There was a strange noise (human?)
15.04 LM6 shook off the fish and flew off but without alarm calling.
15.06 She soon returned and flew to the perch
15.06 LJ2 saw his chance and came for the fish.
16.21 The chicks were resting on the nest when LJ2 returned with the tail end of the fish.
Guess who got up first to receive the fish - yes of course Mari!LJ2 looked over towards LM6 but she stayed on the perch.
16.21 Dilys decided to get up
Dilys was more interested in flying than eating and did lots of practising.
She did extensive, fast wing beating too.
17.36 Mari is still eating. Dilys is looking over the edge of the nest again, bobbing her head from side to side.
Dilys keeps practising with wing exercises and jumping/helicoptering in preparation for her fledge. It wouldn’t surprise me if she goes tomorrow.
19.01, she went up but came down partially on Mari.
Mari was very good about it.
19.02 Mari found the fish tail and resumed eating again.
20.26 LM6 came to the nest.
She found this never ending fish tail and took it to the other side of the nest to eat.
20.30 She was joined by the chicks for a feed.