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
19.14
LJ2 had managed to get a wee turn earlier sitting on their egg for a few minutes.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
What a super resume of 372's labour and post-laying of her first egg. Glider!
A beautiful sunset picture - thank you
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Thanks Sandra. I just think these birds are all so incredible. ️
I couldn't agree more!
**I just think these birds are all so incredible**
What amazes me most of all is that they fly all these thousands of miles back to the same nest after spending at least 6 months apart in different countries and pick up where they left off!!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Exactly Wendy!
Good morning from Brenig. Blue 372 diligently looked after her egg overnight. From scrollback, I couldn’t see her leave the nest once for a comfort break. She did a few wing flaps which I think was to stretch out her muscles, unless there was a tawny owl or something that didn’t appear on cam.
02.07
03.13
05.34. She beat her wings very quickly
Maybe LJ2 saw this as his signal to come over!
05.45 He stood quietly for about 10 minutes then approached to take over incubation.
05.46 after a minute, 372 stood up and flew off, looks like she went to the tower perch.
LJ2 approaches the egg. It has quite distinctive red markings on it.
05.48 He pecked at the grasses and moved the egg and briefly sat down a few times before he settled.
05.50 His first shift of the day.
I’m out now for a while so will have to stop here. BBL
.
One of these days I'm going to rock up (that's the latest expression, I've heard it a lot on the radio lately) with my late video only to find someone has gazumped me - normally only Geemeff does that but we do tit-for-tat in our enthusiasm
Glider said: Her first egg that she’s ever laid. What a moment for her.
I suggested that in the title but had to add a ? just in case she's ever done a CJ7 on us! Were her intial alarm chips caused by an intruder she can't pursue, or, I'd like to think, by the onset of a totally unfamiliar sensation
It took her 10 minutes to settle down, and LJ2 waited until she did before flying off:
Congratulations to the parents and Glider, the latter for her faithful, detailed coverage of this nest :)))
IMAGICAT
Aw that’s such a lovely video Scylla. Thank you so much. I was thinking that with 372 just turning 3 next month or the month after, she’s too young to have laid an egg last year? But you’re right with the question mark because how could I be 100% sure, ospreys surprise us all of the time!
372 did go to the tower perch when she left the nest this morning.
She returned to the nest at 06.57. LJ2 stood up on her arrival.I06.57 372 has a good look at her egg.
06.58 LJ2 leaves and 372 starts rolling the egg and pecking at the nest cup below it.
06.59 She was still standing over the egg when LJ2 comes flying in at speed to mate then he’s off again.
07.02 372 settles on her egg.
07.23 Only 20 minutes have passed and LJ2 is back wanting a turn again.
07.25 LJ2 sits
07.40 On her return, when 372 swoops up from below to the nest, LJ2 is startled and jumps up quickly!
07.42 He tries mating again with lots of vocal encouragement but it didn’t look successful.
10.10 No wonder 372 is tired today.