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
17.41
Congratulations 372, LJ2 and Brenig Osprey Project.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
,
I’ve been out all day and just going through today’s events now. I was thinking that it’s been very quiet except for an unseen intruder around just before 13.00.
372 has been around the nest a lot today and not eaten, I don’t think. Then as I scrolled, I saw her in the nest cup, thinking she was just trying for size. Next thing, there are little grunts and squeaks and I could see she was in labour. Her first egg that she’s ever laid. What a moment for her.
Here’s daddy come to see.
It’s 17 days since 372 arrived to stay with LJ2.
Congratulations to all the team at Brenig, 372 & LJ2, and of course to you, Glider! Many thanks for your diligent reporting!
Thank you Sandra, I got all fingers and thumbs as I was trying to post the news as it was such a surprise! It wasn’t on Brenig FB when I first checked before I started scrolling.
Glider said:Her first egg that she’s ever laid. What a moment for her.
Fabulous news
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Scroll back to when it happened.
17.16 372 lay in the nest cup for a few minutes, sounding a single chip as she lay down.
She got up, walked about a bit then settled down again at 17.29.
This time she let out several loud chips which brought LJ2 straight to the nest.
17.29 She stopped chipping with his arrival.
As LJ2 stood by her side, 372 started with the quietest of little grunts. They continued and became a little louder. LJ2 felt it was time to go and went to the nearby posts.
17.33
As 372’s labour goes on, there are a few whistles/ squeaks in with the grunts.17.40 the little grunts are about one second apart now as she is in the final stages.
17.40.33 There’s no mistaking the moment of laying. 372 nearly fell over as she jumped up off the egg.
She took about 10 minutes to settle down over the egg to start brooding. She was very fidgety, pecking at stuff, rolling the egg, kicking the egg, she stood on it, changed position and shuffled round and round. The egg was in every patch of the nest cup. 17.45 LJ2 is very interested.
17.47 At one point, I thought LJ2 was going to step in to incubate!
He stayed and watched over 372 and when she did finally settle down on her egg, LJ2 left.
17.50
Thanks for your congratulations Wendy. When trying to quote you in my reply, I keep getting an error message. It’s a hit or a miss for me with quoting.
However, it is fabulous news and I am so happy for them both.
20.08 Aww
What a super resume of 372's labour and post-laying of her first egg. Glider!
A beautiful sunset picture - thank you