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
Brenig Osprey Project haven’t said anything about the egg being left for nearly 3 hours on a cold, frosty night. It would be interesting to hear their views.
The pace of the afternoon seemed a bit slower with both ospreys incubating for longer spells.
13.04 LJ2 nibbling on the edge of the large piece of bark.
13.40 Now 372 is tackling the piece LJ2 bit off.
14.13 LJ2 takes over
15.03 372 having a wee snooze
15.54 Looked like a successful mating
16.46 LJ2 brings in a stick
After placing it on 372’s back, LJ2 lifts it and moves it to in front of her.
17.10 LJ2 tries mating but 372 is more concerned with nest tidying
Changeover at 17.37. It’s now LJ2’s turn.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
Aw, bless, she was quite confused by the whole thing, not knowing what to do, and he was bopping his head to and fro to see what was going on as well. Well done the pair.
This is my comment on the 1st egg, goodness knows how ai missed looking at the video?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Yes Catlady, 372 didn’t really know what was happening to her as the egg began its journey. I’ve found that throughout the whole experience she has been watching, taking everything in, looking a bit surprised at times, wondering what to do and having to follow LJ2’s lead. She’s just learning as she’s going as I guess all 3 year olds must do.
372 laid her 2nd egg at 19.28 tonight!
It’s in front of the first egg.
You can see the 2 eggs clearer now.
And again
Well done 372.
Her labour looked a lot easier this time.
She paced about the nest cup for a few minutes then crouched down, rocking gently from side to side as she lifted her feet one at a time.
19.22
19.23
19.24
19.24 Her first wee grunt
19.25 She let out a wee whistle with a push.
19.28 Several more grunts and whistles later and the egg is delivered.
She stood up and had a quick clean.
19.30 She sat on her eggs.
19.40 LJ2 came in with a clump of grasses
He almost sat on 372 as he awkwardly shuffled next to her pulling at any nearby materials.
19.42 372 stood up
I don’t think LJ2 noticed the extra egg.
He flew off
372 stayed on the nest and darkness soon fell.
22.42 She got up for a wee stretch
23.44 Current scene.
Hopefully, 372 will incubate the eggs all night tonight.
.
Glider said:372 laid her 2nd egg at 19.28 tonight
Probably not enough pre- and too much post-amble, never mind:
IMAGICAT
27 April
Good morning. Scylla, thank you for the video, that’s fab.
372 had a much more settled night last night than the night before when she left the nest and egg in the very early hours.
She looked comfortable and cosy with the deep soft bedding around her. She had a few positional changes, showing us the 2 eggs here.
00.42
02.09 and again
04.02 sleeping with her head down.
04.29 372 is abruptly woken by the clatter of the nest perch as LJ2 leaves it to come to the nest.
The birds exchanged contact calls with 372 quietly voicing repeated chips.
LJ2 got the message and left. 04.30.33
04.53 He returned again with a contact call and 372 replied.
372’s repeated bars of little chips continued and gradually got louder. Their tone lowered as she stood up before flying off.
04.54 LJ2 saw the 2nd egg for the first time.
04.55 As 372 flew off for a well deserved break, LJ2 ventured down into the nest cup.
He gently touched and moved the 2nd egg slightly with his beak.
04.56 He pecked at some grasses around the eggs then quickly settled down.
Good to see Brenig Osprey Project FB have posted an article about concerns re incubation.
Link to article HERE
(Scroll down from the egg announcement)