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
26 April
Good morning. 372 had a restless night. She took a comfort break at 23.50
returning at 23.54
her next break was at 01.38. She never returned to the nest until 04.19
At 04.17, movement was heard on the nest perch and a wing tip seen. LJ2 could be heard vocalising, encouraging 372 to mate as his wings were flapping above the nest edge.
04.18 LJ2 flew back onto the perch
04.19 372 flew up to the nest edge.
LJ2 then flew up from the perch as well, to mate. 372 shrugged him off.
04.20 They both stood on the nest edge at opposite sides, LJ2 nearest the cam.
just waiting, looking at the egg
04.23 372 was so tired, she kept closing her eyes
04.24
04.26 she flew off leaving LJ2 on the nest.04.27 He waited a minute before going to the egg and stood over it
He looked around, pecked at the nest cup
rolled the egg
04.29 and settled down on it.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
05.14 372 was seen flying to the nest perch. LJ2 heard her as she landed.
He stood up and went to the nest edge. He then flew down to mate with 372.
05.15 After mating, 372 flew off and returned to the nest.
05.18
05.20 When day cam came on, it revealed a frosty morning. 05.32
©️NWWT,WW, BOP
I don’t know how viable the egg will be after being left unattended for 2 hours 51 minutes on a very cold night.
372 broods the egg. She changes position a few times.
06.01 She must’ve seen/heard LJ2 as she focuses on him and gets up off the egg.
She drops a little white feather next to the egg as she flies off.
06.02 LJ2 lands to resume incubation.
06.13 372 arrives on the tower perch.
372 is on the tower perch when a bird flies past nearby. A Corvid I suspect as they could be heard cawing from the nest cam. 372 gives chase. 06.22
LJ2 was aerating the nest cup when 372 flew past. ( The tower cam is a few seconds ahead of the nest cam clock)
It got LJ2’s attention
but he settled back on the egg again.
06.22 372 then returned to the nest perch. She was seen flying up from the right.
07.55 372 flew up from the nest perch to relieve LJ2 who had been there for almost 2 hours.
07.56 07.57 073 settles down.
08.45
LJ2 flies in with a stick in each talon
The longer one lands partially over 372’s back. LJ2 picks up the shorter stick
and drops it on 372 as well.
She dutifully gets up to allow LJ2 back to the egg. 08.46 he shuffles in
08.47 settled down now.
08.57 10 minutes later 372 flies up from the nest perch to the nest.
08.58 She waits for a minute and LJ2 doesn’t move so she leaves again.
LJ2 then gets up and has a wee poke about the nest cup
before settling down again. 08.59©️NWWT, WW, BOP
09.10 Just over 10 minutes later, 372 tries again, flying up from the nest perch.
She makes a few contact chips to LJ2 and waits.
09.11 LJ2 moves off the egg
and flies off to land on the area circled.
09.13 372 goes to the egg, getting ready to lay down when LJ2 returns to mate.
It looked successful and he flew off.
09.14 372 on the egg now.
09.49 LJ2 is back again. He just can’t stay away for any length of time!He brings another stick.
He makes a couple of soft contact calls
09.49 LJ2 watches 372 fly off
She landed on a post behind the tower.
I can’t keep up with this! The nest changes are so frequent. I don’t remember it being like this with LM6. I guess she was a year older when she laid her first successful clutch and stood her ground with LJ2, not leaving her eggs every time he came to the nest.
10.26 372 lands on the edge of the nest. LJ2 gets off the egg to try a mating attempt.
372 walks with him on her back to the nest cup and he flies off.
10.32 LJ2 is back with a small piece of bark.
372 stands up. Changeover to LJ2 on the egg.
10.34 LJ2
11.12 372 returns. LJ2 tries to mate again
Again, 372 walks with LJ2 on her back, she stumbles and he flies off.
11.13 372 moves a stick and sits back on the egg.
11.14 LJ2 returns with a tiny piece of bark in his left talon.
He gently coaxes 372 off the egg
11.15 I don’t know when LJ2 is going to fit in fishing with all this brooding he’s doing!
11.46 and 372 returns
LJ2 stands up off the egg. He reverses into 372 and clatters her with his wing,
11.47 He tries mating but again, 372 is unreceptive.
11.48 372 goes back to her egg as LJ2 has flown off.
12.10 LJ2 brings more bark to the nest.
372 stands up as LJ2 speaks gently to her.
372 flies off
12.11 and LJ2 takes over nest duties.