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
5 minutes later, 372 left the post, flew under the nest and back to land on the nest perch.
08.18 She flew up to the nest
08.19 and was soon back on the eggs.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
LJ2 will certainly need to go fishing again.
8.34 372 relaxing in the sun.
08.41 Changeover. “I’m still hungry”
09.50 LJ2 leaves the nest still attached to a curly piece of bark.
09.52 Unfortunately he brings it back. These curly pieces are tricky to place in the nest.
10.08 “Still hungry dear”
11.11 Yes! Another fish arrives for 372. A small headless pike.
372 quickly collects it.
She takes the fish to a shorter post this time as marked.
12.16 LJ2 saw 372 coming towards the nest so he took off as she was arriving, clutching the remains of the fish.
LJ2 turns and comes back to mate
but 372 is having none of it and quickly shrugs him off.
12.17 She starts eating the fish again
12.18 LJ2 returns and so 372 takes off with her fish. She flew down to the right of the tower out of sight.
12.19 LJ2 resumes incubation duties.
Maybe 372 has decided 2 eggs are enough, although I don’t know if #1 egg will hatch. However, there were at least 2 successful matings that I saw yesterday. So time will tell.
13.29 372 returns and still has some fish left.
13.30 LJ2 took off
he landed behind the tall post marked.
13.31 As 372 stayed on the nest edge, LJ2 flew back to take the fish end.
He held it in his beak
then transferred to his left talons to take off.
13.31 LJ2 landed on the post marked as 372 got ready to incubate her eggs.
It only took LJ2 around 15 minutes to finish off the fish tail.
13.44 LJ2 arrives at the nest but 372 opted to stay on the eggs.
13.52 The nest is getting smaller as the soft furnishings engulf 372!
14.36 LJ2’s turn
15.00 A nice view of the eggs. I think #1 left, #2 right.
17.27 LJ2 is again rejected for mating.
I’ve just read that an Osprey egg takes about a day and a half to form so that may be a reason that 372’s not accepting LJ2’s mating advances, she’s possibly got a fertilised egg growing inside her otherwise, it’s her first year breeding and 2 eggs are suffice.
18.18 372 was very excited to see LJ2 approaching
That’s more like it LJ2, a good sized headless trout.
372 quickly takes it from LJ2’s talons
And away she goes with the fish
to land on the post to eat.
Well done LJ2. You saved the best ‘till last!
372 wasn’t able to enjoy her fish straight away, the pesky neighbours were bothering her!
18.20 She set off to give chase with her fish. LJ2 was in prime position to watch it all.She flies back below the nest
and upwards
She landed on the post again
then took off again flying past the nest (the photo has a double image here, there’s only one 372!)
Finally, she settled on the tree top in front of LJ2.
19.28 LJ2 starts making soft contact calls. 372 is still eating on the tree.
19.29 Just under a minute later, he flies to the post marked, displacing the bird sitting there.
19.30 372 waits for a minute or so then leaves to return to the nest.
She goes to the nest cup with her fish. LJ2 flew to where 372 had been feeding.
19.31 LJ2 arrives and looks for the fish.
19.32 372 has released it and LJ2 moves in to take it.
He takes it in his beak
and flies off without transferring it to his talons, going to 372’s original feeding post.
19.59 372 looking quite content on the nest in the evening sunset. It looks like LJ2 is still on the post.
20.24 Once LJ2’s finished eating the fish, LJ2 he returns to the nest.
20.25 He waits for over half a minute but 372 doesn’t move, so he flies off again.
20.58 372 stays as darkness falls
The night cam comes on and at 21.47 she leaves for a quick comfort break.
The wind is fairly picking up she outspread her wings a few times to hold her balance before settling down.
21.48 372 resumes incubation.
21.58 some big gusts of wind start blowing the loose bark on the edge of the nest
Pieces are lifted into the air and away.
One large piece flies straight at 372 and lands on her back.
She got such a fright and launched herself off the nest
21.59 returning a minute later
The wind catching her feathers.
She is lying low. I hope it eases soon.
.
Glider said:21.58 some big gusts of wind start blowing the loose bark on the edge of the nest
Glider said:One large piece flies straight at 372 and lands on her back
I've said "She was alert most of the night" but that was norty, as I hadn't yet checked thru - and still haven't !!!
IMAGICAT