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
17.28 372 soon returned. LJ2 got up abruptly, no wonder, it looks like 372’s got her big boots on!
17.29 LJ2 left.17.56 372 brooded for a wee while then started calling again.
LJ2 flew in but he had nothing for her.
372 is still calling
17.57 She then stood up and stumbled as she stood on one of the eggs and slipped off. Thank goodness these eggs are tough.372 then flew off.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
Fab news about the second egg, Glider!
18.28 372 must be really hungry as she’s called on and off for hours now. Every time she’s within earshot of LJ2, she’s asking
18.29 Another successful mating
18.39 Calling.
18.40 Calling.
19.35 Calling.
19.46 Calling.
19.49 Calling.
As darkness falls, 372 is still asking but LJ2 hasn’t gone fishing. It’s too late now. Hopefully he goes early tomorrow morning.
372 flies off to the nest perch as LJ2 makes his way to the nest cup to brood the eggs.
Yes, it is good news about the 2nd egg Sandra. They’ve continued to mate today so maybe we’ll see a 3rd on the 29th.
Let's hope LJ2 picks up with bringing fish to 372
I hope so Sandra. I felt sorry for her asking into darkness tonight.
It’s been a strange one tonight though. LJ2 took over egg sitting at 20.47 and was there until 23.16 when he got off and left. 372 who had been sitting on the nest perch then came up to continue with brooding. I’ve never seen him brood so late into the night.
I can’t get photos to post just now? Can hopefully add these later.
photos edited in
20.47 LJ2 takes over incubation
22.52
23.16 LJ2 leaves
And 372 flies up from the nest perch to take over.
28 April
Good morning. 372 had a settled night on the nest. Just after 05.00 she was calling for LJ2.
05.01
05.02 He flew in
05.03 and took over incubation.
05.14 372 was soon back, she could be heard calling before she arrived.
Mating was tried but was unsuccessful.
05.23 LJ2 revisited the nest. 372 quietly looked at him.
About half a minute later, LJ2 was off chasing the Corvid neighbours.
05.57 LJ2 returns. 372 started vocalising as soon as she saw him
and continued as she left.
There have been frequent comings and goings and a failed mating attempt where 372 quickly dropped her shoulder to shrug LJ2 off.
06.16
LJ2 flew off to immediately return to mate but was unsuccessful.
07.04 372 is still asking to be fed07.24 and continues
07.37 changeover with 372 taking over brooding
08.11 LJ2 nipped away and brought back a tiddler for her.
372 was squealing with excitement as she took the fish
She took it to the side of the nest but struggled to get a secure grip.
08.12 So she started feeding on the nest
08.13 She then managed to get a better grip and took it off the nest to her favoured feeding post.
LJ2 started some nest tidying as 372 landed on the post circled.©️NWWT, WW, BOP