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
20 April
Good morning and what a beautiful one it is.
There was early morning frost on the nest and both birds have been active around the area.
05.36 Unsuccessful early morning mating attempt.
06.09 A shared preening session on the tower perch.
06.14 Is this a staring contest!? 07.28 LJ2 brings a piece of processed wood to the nest.
07.41 The wood has red paint on it, beside 372. LJ2 on the tree branch.
07.42 372 returned to the tower perch for more preening.
07.52
08.32 LJ2 joined her for a few minutes.
So beautiful here.
08.35 Successful mating09.08 Something has caught 372’s eye. LJ2 is on the tree behind her.
10.29 372 has been quietly communicating to LJ2. He lets out a yawn.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
12.15 372 got a lovely headless fish from LJ2
She took it to her usual area to eat.
Oh no, 12 minutes later, 372 flew to the nest empty taloned and a corvid flew straight onto the post as she left, so is presumably enjoying her fish.
12.28
I don’t know if the corvid was hassling her and drove her off? 12.56 372 left the nest. A minute later, an osprey flew to the feeding post and soon arrived on the nest. It was LJ2 with the fish! 372 didn’t appear so he left with it again.18.51 He did bring her another later. 372 didn’t come to the nest.
19.00 LJ2 left and returned. She was ready for him this time.
She was very eager, vocalising loudly and grabbed the fish quickly.
372 left the nest with the fish and returned around 25 minutes later, with the fish! LJ2 arrived on the nest at the same time.
19.27 372 mantled over the fish. 19.29 LJ2 came from behind and took it back.
22.21 372 appeared on the nest
22.56 She went to the cup
23.11
00.23 She is still there now. Will she lay her first egg through the night?©️NWWT, WW, BOP
21 April
Good morning. No egg this morning. 372 left the nest at 00.49.
It would have been a bit early. She first visited (this season) on 1st April, returned on April 6th but 1st successful mating wasn’t until April 10th. But who knows what her laying cycle will be with it being her first year.
05.14 372 was first on the nest, flying in from the left. LJ2 immediately joined her, flying up from the nest perch. LJ2 flew over for their usual early morning mating but 372 didn’t left her tail. LJ2 flew back to the nest perch 372 stayed on the nest. She looked sleepy.
05.45
.05.48 LJ2 flew in to mate again but 372 again declined, opting to walk LJ2 into the nest cup.
05.51 LJ2 returned to the nest perch
With 372 still on the nest, LJ2 came back at 06.08.
372 walked to the edge of the nest. There was no mating attempt this time.
06.09 372 left flying down to the right and LJ2 left a couple of minutes later, flying up to the tower perch.
Where othrr than the hide is the best place at llyn brenig to take photos of the ospreys please
07.07 LJ2 and 372 arrive in tandem to the nest.
LJ2 assumes his mantling position at the nest edge
07.08 He gently chips, communicating with 372. Flies up, turns and lands to mate. Successfully this time.
Both birds have been on the tower perch separately, with LJ2 spending more time here preening.
07.23 372
07.40 LJ2
08.48 Another successful mating
09.00 372 stays on the nest to preen
09.01 LJ2 is on the tower perch.
Starsky78 said:Where othrr than the hide is the best place at llyn brenig to take photos of the ospreys please
Hi Starsky78, I’ve never been to Llyn Brenig yet myself so couldn’t say. Perhaps someone else could answer your question.
Otherwise, if you’re on FB, you could ask the Brenig Osprey Project HERE They’re very friendly and helpful.
372 taking a nap, startled by LJ2 chasing a crow