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
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
There have been many more matings this morning, both successful and not so. Both birds have stayed close to around the nest area.
06.16
06.23 372 arrives on the tower perch, leaving just over 20 minutes later.
06.45
07.04 LJ2 returned with a clump of moss to replace the one he dropped earlier!
He secures it into the same position.
07.05
08.40 LJ2 works so hard getting his nest ready.
EDIT - Fish delivery
09.23
LJ2 has eaten the head.
372 secures it
and takes it to the eating area.
09.27 The weather has turned miserable. LJ2 getting drenched.
09.44 372 flies off from the post. That was only around 20 minutes eating time.09.45 She arrives on the nest
09.59 the wind has dried her feathers.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
UNSEEN INTRUDER
12.31 LJ2 flew to the nest. He started shifting bark and sticks.
After a minute or two, he stopped as something caught his eye. He raised his wings, flapping.
12.34 He repeated these actions a few times.
12.35 Then he started mantling and chipping
12.36
12.37 LJ2 flew off.
FISH DELIVERY FOR 372
16.18 LJ2 has eaten the head. 372 is calling loudly.
She quickly flies off with it.
and lands on the post to the right this time.
A lovely post from Brenig FB with a clip of a feature on Brenig Ospreys from ITV Wales HERE
16.57 LJ2 flew onto the nest. 372 left the feeding post and flew to join him.
LJ2 was looking to see if there was any fish left
Time for a quick mating first
Then he was off to the post 372 had been on
16.59 372 sorts out nesting arrangements and LJ2 is still on the post.
17.00 LJ2 returns to join 372.
ANOTHER FISH DELIVERY
19.46 Of the headless variety again
19.47 Off she goes
372 lands on the same post as last time, under the golden night sky.
20.29 372 leaves the post she was eating on and flies to the nest.She makes soft contact calls as she lands.
LJ2 soon follows her on.
20.30 372 cleans her beak on some sticks.
They stand quietly for a wee while then LJ2 flies off to the post next to where 372 was feeding (marked with a green dot) 372 then flies to the curved branch just beyond the nest.
20.33
18 April
Good morning. From a frosty start, it’s turning out to be a beautiful morning here.
05.50 LJ2 flew up from the nest perch to the nest. He was then joined by 372 who had been on the nest perch as well.
05.53 There is frost on the nest and you can see it on LJ2’s tail as well.
05.54 LJ2 flew to the tower perch
05.55 Then returned to mate.
06.02 Beautiful pink hues of the rising sun behind a beautiful 372.
06.05 372 flew to the tree top beyond the nest.
06.31 LJ2 flew from nearby to 372, landing on her to mate but was unsuccessful.
They sat together for over 10 minutes as the sun rose to illuminate the scene.
06.44 LJ2 flew down to the nest to do a bit of housekeeping.
06.46 he then returned to join 372 on the tree.
06.48
07.18 They sat together for over half an hour when 372 then left the tree to come to the nest.
LJ2 immediately followed her
and they had a successful mating.
Incredible clarity of reflections on the still water. 07.52 LJ2 has come to do some grooming.
08.12
After LJ2 left, 372 arrived on the perch.
08.17 A couple of pairs of ducks swim below.
08.22 LJ2 returns to join 372
08.23 They start preening
08.35
08.35 and soon attract the attention of the gulls
08.39
They are continually dive bombed
08.40
08.42 but the ospreys calmly hold their ground without lifting their wings, just the occasional head ducking!
The gulls seemed to have stopped by 08.49 and our two birds soon get back to their morning routines.
08.52
08.58
09.17 Both birds back on the nest. LJ2 looking at us.
10.09 372 is on the tower perch
10.10 LJ2 arrives with nesting materials
10.11
10.27 372 leaves the tower perch
10.55 LJ2 continues to add to the nest