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 more changeovers and successful matings throughout the day.
12.03
13.08
14.13
LJ2 has been fishing and brought a fresh headless specimen to the nest.
372 was very excited to receive it.
14.14 She had a couple of attempts at flying off with the fish hitting something before she flew off successfully.
She landed on her favoured post to have her lunch. LJ2 was happy to resume incubation.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
This was the longest I’ve seen 372 away with a fish, over an hour.
15.36 She brought the half eaten fish back to the nest.
15.37 LJ2 was happy to receive it.
He took the fish to the same post 372 had used.
16.25 When LJ2 returned just under 50 minutes later, the fish was gone.
He was keen to get back to his incubation duties.
I think I’ve seen LJ2 on the egg as often as 372 today!
He’s definitely trying for a second with frequent mating continuing.
19.06 As the day turned into evening, 372 was getting hungry and asking for fish.
19.57
20.49 LJ2 delivered another clump of soft grass.
20.50 372 still asked for fish.
but LJ2 was keen on having one more turn at brooding the egg before nightfall.
20.52
372 could be heard calling from nearby.
21.05 She flew in for the final switchover
and settled down for the longest shift.
21.16
23.11 She’s still awake.
25 April
Good afternoon. Things continuing today as they were yesterday.
05.00 LJ2 flew in early to mate.
05.16 and again, successful.
06.26 Shared brooding responsibilities and more mating attempts. LJ2
07.22 372
07.58 LJ2 stands on 372’s neck
then his other foot comes down and squashes her
as he tries to manoeuvre another large piece of bark he’d brought to the nest.
09.46 372 seems to be not too keen on mating until she gets fed!
10.20 She has been asking LJ2 to go fishing all morning.
11.42
12.53 She ‘s disappointed again as LJ2 comes in empty taloned.
372 gives him a right rollicking!
14.07 LJ2 sees 372 coming towards the nest and he leaves after his incubation stint. 372 initially lands on the nest perch.
372 flies up just over half a minute later.
There looks like a pinkiness to her white undercarriage. I’m not sure what it is. Hope it’s not blood.
A zoom in.
15.24 372’s under feathers don’t look so pink now. As LJ2 arrives on the nest, 372 leaves.LJ2 starts fiddling with one of the bark pieces.
15.32. It takes him about 8 minutes to finally settle on the egg.
16.19 372 returns
16.20 She now has a go with the giant piece of bark
16.2316.25 When she was thinking about settling down on her egg, LJ2 flew back.
16.28 It was a brief visit though and 372 finally got back to incubating her egg.
I don’t think 372 has had a fish yet. I’ve scrolled back a few times and can’t see a delivery.
19.10 However, I did see a face on 372’s downward facing back of head! Just trying to acquaint myself with her markings.
Haha ..looks like a fish to me ...
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
That’s funny Wendy and more appropriate for an Osprey!
Changeover at 20.26. 372 is still being vocal as LJ2 arrives.
20.28 Rear view of LJ2 on the egg
20.59 372 flies up from the nest perch. LJ2 is startled and quickly jumps up off the egg.
21.50 372 currently