For this year’s opener, I’m starting with AG’s recent comments (end of August 2023-February 2024) which give an insight to what’s been going on at Llyn Brenig.
12/02/2024
“There are some posts on the Brenig Osprey Project Facebook page with camera trap images and videos of voles, foxes and a family of otters. There is also an appeal for additional viewing equipment. The osprey watchpoint has a new verandah which will be a better base for scopes.There is a volunteer recruitment event at Llyn Brenig on 25 February if anyone in the region wants to join the merry band.All details at www.facebook.com/brenigospreyproject”
01/03/2024
“Just a little more info on preparations at Llyn Brenig. The nest is on a pole in the water just into the reservoir from a peninsula, which was tree covered, As explained in the conservation plan plan prepared by Tim Mackrill, the trees have been felled over the last 2 years (they were mature and ready for use as timber). The brash from the felling has been gathered up and used to create a barrier across the peninsula in line with the hide which is there. Some tree stumps were left near the nest last year after the first stage of felling were used by the ospreys as perches for eating, and are still there. Last year the hide could not be used in moderate or high winds due to the risk of trees falling on it; that is no longer a concern. If you scroll up to Glider's post on 31 August above you can see the trees which have now been felled, and the hide in the middle of the line of trees.
Both cameras are still streaming - there is snow on the hills around the reservoir this morning.”
Background to the nest:-
Again, many thanks to AG who wrote this preface to the Llyn Brenig thread for us below. (I’ve just edited extra information)
Llyn Brenig is a reservoir on the border between Denbighshire and County Conwy in North Wales. It is managed by Welsh Water; the osprey project is a partnership between them and North Wales Wildlife Trust.
One pair of ospreys (Blue HR7 (M) 2014 Lake Menteith, Scotland and Blue 24 (F) 2010 nr Rutland) raised a single chick here each year from 2018-2020, Z9 (F) Luned, KA5 (M) Roli and KC5 (F) respectively. Sadly, KC5 died after fledging, colliding with a wind turbine.
Neither of this breeding pair returned in 2021, when the nest was taken over by 2 Scottish birds, LJ2 (male) and LM6 (female), both 2018 chicks. The nest was vandalised the night after LM6 had laid her first egg; while the two could not continue to breed they did stay close to the site until normal migration time.
A new nest was erected in 2022 with additional security and a streaming camera in place. A new hide was also built.
LJ2 and LM6 returned in 2022 and successfully fledged 2 chicks, X6 Olwen (F) and KA9 Gelert (M)
LM6 lost her blue darvic ring on the nest. It was later recovered by Welsh Water and kept for display.2023 saw LJ2 and LM6 return to breed and successfully raise 2 female chicks 7B5 (Dilys) and 7B6 (Mari)
RETURN DATES
2022 - LJ2 April 6th - LM6 April 10th
2023 - LJ2 March 31st - LM6 April 4th
2024 - LJ2 March 31st (07.02hrs) LM6 sadly hasn’t yet returned. Blue 372 (translocation Poole Harbour 2021) visited April 1st then stayed April 6th
Eggs laid 2024
#1 23 April - 17.40, #2 26 April - 19.28, #3 29 April - 15.46
Hatched 2024
2 June - 00.52, 4 June - 09.45ish.
Links to
August 2023 to February 2024
North Wales Wildlife Trust Page https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/days-out/ospreys-llyn-brenig
Welsh Water Page https://llynbrenig.com/llyn-brenig-osprey/
Osprey Project Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/brenigospreyproject
Friends of Llyn Brenig Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsofLlynBrenigBlue24
Llyn Brenig YouTube Channel for Live Stream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOGHtmoEY7w
Llyn Brenig PTZ camera for off nest live stream PTZ live stream
All captures and videos ©️ NWWT, Welsh Water, Brenig Osprey Project
LM6 (left) and LJ2 April 2023
10.25 Here’s the fish caught by LJ2 earlier that Sandra mentioned.
Every time I try to reply to post again, I get put into edit mode so I’m just adding another photo under this one.
15.31 LJ2 with his fish before Blue 372 arrives. I love the deep colour of the choppy water here.
Blue 172 got the fish at 18.10.
18.18 She ate at the nest edge to eat whilst LJ2 mantled.
LJ2 made a few mating advances but each time, she shrugged him off with her wing.
18.24
18.34
18.39
18.41 Blue372 left a straggly piece of the fish on the nest. LJ2 came in with a stick, found it and finished it off.
Both birds left the nest shortly after 19.00 and returned just over an hour later, staying for a few minutes then off again.
20.17
.
What super coverage here today (not that it isn't every day!).
I intended to support with a video but don't think I'll have time before the 7th !!! So here's a quickie of LJ2 suffrin' from gulls:
IMAGICAT
7 April
LJ2 still has his admirer Blue 372 with him this morning.
They arrived together on the nest at 06.04.
LJ2 tried another unsuccessful mating.
They’ve been on and off the nest since. LJ2 has been bringing things to the nest, a piece of bark, a stick, a fish!06.19
372 was most impressed with the fish! 07.1907.20 LJ2 flew off with it
08.02 and returned after eating the head.
372 took the fish
08.04 She flew off with it
08.13 LJ2 pottered about the nest until 372 reappeared with the fish.
08.26 Surprisingly 372 released the fish on the right side of the nest and walked away from it.
08.27 LJ2 cocked his head and spied it. He went over to collect it
then flew off with it.
He did return then left again, returning at 09.19 having eaten some more.
372 wanted the fish back and took it back, taking it to the front left of the nest.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
It’s very blustery on the nest so must be hard work for the birds going about their business!
Looking back at the PTZ cam, LJ2 arrived just before 02.00 and hunkered down, holding on tight until he left just before 6am.
Morning Glider, LJ2 is certainly providing for 372 He did well to catch a fish, the water looks extremely choppy!
Good morning Sandra, thanks for the heads up! I was rushing as usual as I’m out for the day again and wanted to put the post up quickly
Catch you later
You're welcome! Have a lovely day, Glider.
I am so relieved that someone else has got a handle on this morning's events - that fish has been on and off the nest umpteen times !!!
Have a great day, GLIDER!
1410 and blue 372 was mobbed by blue 416 on the nest, the bird she paired up with last year.
He's probably telling her to get home, they have a nest together
Richard B