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
LJ2 has been back at the nest a couple of times. I guess he’s keeping near for 372’s return.
She arrived at 11.07 after enjoying her lovely fish. LJ2 had done a little housekeeping whilst waiting.
LJ2 straight into mantling position at the front of the nest.
11.15 After they were settled, LJ2 flew over to mate
372’s tail went up a little but LJ2 lost balance and slipped off. Or, did she knock him off with her tail?! LJ2 flew off, returning at 11.19, going straight into mantling again beside 372.
11.37 another failed mating attempt. He got the wing shrug this time.
11.37 372 giving us a glare!
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
You can’t blame a trier!More mating attempts from LJ2.
12.45 This was the closest he’s got so far. 372 lifted her tail
but before LJ2 could get into position, she lifted her wing and shrugged him off.
It’s still very windy here today but at least the rain has stopped.
I think 372 is a bit confused, perhaps with LJ2 and Aran from Glaslyn repeatedly jumping on her back with their mating attempts, she thinks she must do the same? She is only 3 and never bred before so it’s all a learning curve I guess.
She flew onto LJ2’s back yesterday and again today. LJ2 was sitting low in the nest cup when 372 flew up and landed on his back.
13.02.31
13.02.47. 372 puts her right foot down to step off13.02.49 LJ2 making his escape He went to the edge of the nest and held a mantling position 13.03.17. 372 flew off.13.03.36 LJ2 stayed for a few more seconds then flew off as well.
I’ve not seen this before on the nests I follow. Has anyone else seen it? You’re all a lot more experienced than me in Osprey watching!
I can't recall anything like that, Glider, others may have though?
The 2 birds stayed close to the nest for the rest of the afternoon, singly and together.
LJ2 had another 2 unsuccessful mating attempts.
13.04 LJ2 bringing in bark to the nest.
13.47
14.41 mating attempt
14.50 another try by LJ2
17.49 The wind seems to have calmed a bit and there is some sunlight on the nest!
17.49 There was offnest osprey calling that LJ2 was listening to. I presume it’s 372. He flew off in response.
18.01 LJ2 looked like he had taken a dip before landing on the tower perch.
18.02 he started preening his feathers.
18.19 He stayed for under 20 minutes then flew off.
.
372 was on the nest whilst LJ2 was on the perch.
19.37 She is currently on the nest, probably waiting for a fish!
19.38 LJ2 arrived on the nest fishless.
He got an earful from 372
I wish he’d move that stick away with the strand pointing up. Someone may do themselves an injury.
It’s in between LJ2’s wing and body as he stands beside it.
He has one more try at mating, with no response from 372. She’d prefer a fish!
He flies off after the mating attempt.
20.07 27 minutes later, LJ2 returns with a fresh fish
372 is fish calling at the top of her lungs.
She grabs it straight away and takes it to the side of the nest.
Sounds like she’s really enjoying it as she squeals with every bite!20.17 After 10 minutes, 372 flies off with the fish.
LJ2 does some nest maintenance
20.19 then also leaves in the direction of 372.
372 could be heard calling and there was some flapping at one of the tree posts. I don’t know who it was or what happened but
15 minutes later, 372 flew up from the nest perch to the nest empty taloned. 20.49
A post from Brenig Osprey Project FB earlier this evening.
I hope so much that LM6 returns too.
10th April
This was LM6’s return date in 2022.
Both 372 and LJ2 were on the nest early this morning and the successful mating finally happened, twice!
05.08 It’s 37205.30 now LJ2
05.53 both together
05.54 and then it happened. She chipped to him and he came over, her tail went up straight away.
06.08 Same again here.
06.18 Nice sky over 372
06.30 LJ2 could be heard skydancing.
06.47 and again
06.48 LJ2 lands and mantles.
07.57. 372 nestorising
08.03 LJ2 brings a fish he’s started on the head
372 doesn’t appear so he leaves. 08.17 A few minutes later 372 lands and the fish is brought back.
It is taken quickly by 372
08.18 she takes it to her preferred post, as circled, to eat.
08.26 LJ2 does some nest improvements, including a scrape
in which he throws up a piece of dirt/bark which sticks to the camera lens.No doubt it’ll rain soon and wash it off!
Yup, the rain soon came. It’s blustery and wet. 10.21 372 returned after eating her fish.
LJ2 had an unsuccessful mating attempt.
10.54 A wee while later 372 flew onto LJ2’s back again
She scrambled about
pinning LJ2’s wings at one point
When she struggled off, the wind caught LJ2 pulling him over
372 flew off with LJ2 head down and tail up
he quickly corrected himself and went too the nest edge, mantling as 372 landed back on the nest