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 didn’t return.Blue 372 (F) (Translocation Poole Harbour 2021) visited April 1st then stayed April 6th
KA9/Gelert returned on 25/05/24, his first visit since his maiden migration in 2022.
This year’s adult partners - Blue LJ2 and Blue 372
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. One egg didn’t hatch.
Chicks ringed 08/07/24
Chick 1 8B9 (Bethan) (F), Chick 2 8B8 (Emrys) (M)
Chicks fledged
8B9/Bethan 27/07/24 (55days old), 8B8/ Emrys 28/07/24 (54 days)
MIGRATIONS
03/09/24 8B8/EMRYS (92 days old) and 372 (3 years old)
06/09/24 8B9/BETHAN (96 days old) LJ2 (6 years old) last seen on this evening so probably left on 07/09/24.
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
FLY HIGH AND SOAR LM6. A brilliant Osprey, mate to LJ2 and mother of 4. You made your mark and will always be remembered.
Llyn Brenig 2021 - 2023LM6 with X6(Olwen) and KA9 (Gelert) July 2022
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Welcome to the Brenig family 372, you’ve done yourself proud this year.
372 (left) and LJ2 May 2024
13.31 372 is currently shifting sticks on the nest.
Cam visibility is not good.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
That’s me for today, I’m off soon for a few days break to sunnier climes in Portugal. If I see LM6 having an extended stay there, I’ll chase her home to Wales.
I do hope she’s here when I get back.
Enjoy your break Glider
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Glider said:I’m off soon for a few days break to sunnier climes in Portugal
Have a wonderful time, Glider!
Sandra said:Have a wonderful time, Glider
Grudgingly (cos we're already missing you here) I'll wish the same.
07:12 - LJ2 pops to tower perch:
See, Glider? We need you to ID the birdies!
First landing:
But we can recognise a successful mating when we (hardly) see one!
I'm not doing any more, it's too hard in this weather. Suffice to say I saw quite a bit of twosome-ing when daycam arrived.
IMAGICAT
.
Back to 10 April, as I found this accidentally while scrolling thru my footage and it deserves a movie:
Glider said:10.54 A wee while later 372 flew onto LJ2’s back again
11 April
She tipped him off:
Later, a successful mating:
And 372 spent time tending the nestcup:
14 April
LJ2 was on the tower perch from a bit after 05:00, later returned and was joined by, I presume, 372 - they spent nearly half an hour together:
Highly enhanced because it was dark:
Matings:
Failed
Succeeded
They certainly look like a couple - it's not for want of co-operation that matings are not completed.
15 April
Good morning, I’m back after my relaxing sunny break. Thanks for your good wishes Wendy, Sandra and Scylla and for the photos and video Scylla. These two certainly seem to have bonded.
I’m so sad about LM6’s absence, her time here was truly remarkable. Overcoming the worst possible start as a first time breeding 3 year old in 2021 with her egg and nest lost to vandals then returning in 2022 and 2023 to raise 4 fantastic young birds, Olwen, Gelert, Dilys and Mari. I felt there were many years ahead for LM6 to continue her legacy with LJ2 but perhaps it was not to be. That said, I am happy for LJ2 to have found a new mate quickly and given an opportunity to continue breeding here.