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
Great capture Hawk Willow, thanks. She does look startled. I just had some stills of her nap.
She started her sleep, on and off at 09.07 when her eyes closed.
She turned her head and tucked it in.
09.17 She’s looked sleepy all morning after staying up late on the nest last night.
09.26 LJ2 mated with her.
He’s certainly full of energy this morning with his crow chasing episode next!
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
I’ve been out all day so it’s just a quick catch-up tonight!We’ve had unsuccessful and successful mating and a beautiful whole fish for 372
12.34 Unsuccessful. 372 had started asking for a fish.
13.14 Successful. 372 was more vocal about getting a fish.
13.29. Her fish order was received and duly delivered, fresh from the water.
LJ2 left first, flying to the tower perch. The fish hit the side of the nest as 372 departed but she held it tight.
372 brought the now headless fish back to the nest and made contact calls, looking for LJ2. It’s good to see her learning to return with a fish rather than leave it where she was eating
13.59
LJ2 quickly arrived and took the fish.
and off he went.
14.28 372 is still sleepy
14.36 The fish returns
but 372 isn’t interested
LJ2 leaves with it again
He comes back with it at 15.20
372 is ready to eat some more and takes it from LJ2
15.21
372 returns with no fish this time, she must have eaten it all. LJ2 was already on the nest.
He attempts mating. It may or may not have been successful
Then he flies off and hovers over the marked area, watched by 372.
It looks like she didn’t finish the fish after all as LJ2 flew down to the post and got it. He doesn’t like waste!
16.06 372 returns with no fish this time, she must have eaten it all. LJ2 was already on the nest.
16.07 He attempts mating. It may or may not have been successful
19.38 There was another half fish later on for 372
20.09 After eating, 372 was doing some nestorising.
20.13 She looks straight into the camera lens
Again, like last night, 372 came back to the nest after darkness fell.
She’s not there currently. (22.00)
22 April
Good morning. The birds met early on the nest, both flying up from the nest perch.
No mating attempt was made.
05.37
07.57 LJ2 on the tower perch
08.43 372 on the nest
09.28 Lovely headless fish delivery for 372
09.29 When 372 left with the fish, she had a sudden stop as the fish crashed into the fine nest wall that LJ2 had built!
Second time lucky! She flew to the usual feeding posts’ area, choosing a middle one this time.
372 flew onto the nest around 40 minutes later, empty taloned. A corvid immediately flew onto the post 372 had been eating on.
10.10
LJ2 flew onto the nest to mate with 372
Luckily, LJ2 likes to stay in the area when 372 is eating and flew back to the post, ousting the corvid.
10.46 LJ2 returned to the nest with no fish. Hopefully it’s been finished off and not dropped.
Notice 372 checked his talons just in case!This is the nest on March 30 when LJ2 arrived.
and today.
Ready for some eggs to be laid into!