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 didn’t return.Blue 372 (F) (Translocation Poole Harbour 2021) visited April 1st then stayed April 6th
KA9/Gelert returned on 25/05/24, his first visit since his maiden migration in 2022.
This year’s adult partners - Blue LJ2 and Blue 372
Eggs laid 2024
#1 23 April - 17.40, #2 26 April - 19.28, #3 29 April - 15.46
Hatched 2024
2 June - 00.52, 4 June - 09.45ish. One egg didn’t hatch.
Chicks ringed 08/07/24
Chick 1 8B9 (Bethan) (F), Chick 2 8B8 (Emrys) (M)
Chicks fledged
8B9/Bethan 27/07/24 (55days old), 8B8/ Emrys 28/07/24 (54 days)
MIGRATIONS
03/09/24 8B8/EMRYS (92 days old) and 372 (3 years old)
06/09/24 8B9/BETHAN (96 days old) LJ2 (6 years old) last seen on this evening so probably left on 07/09/24.
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
FLY HIGH AND SOAR LM6. A brilliant Osprey, mate to LJ2 and mother of 4. You made your mark and will always be remembered.
Llyn Brenig 2021 - 2023LM6 with X6(Olwen) and KA9 (Gelert) July 2022
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Welcome to the Brenig family 372, you’ve done yourself proud this year.
372 (left) and LJ2 May 2024
29 April
Good morning. Wonderful Scylla, thanks You are my video Fairy Godmother.
You were right, 372 was alert all night. I hardly saw her close her eyes.
23.21
00.18 She stood up to stretch her wings then back down again.
0o.37
01.48
02.23
03.07 It’s raining now too.
03.44
04.20 Up for another wing stretch
05.01 LJ2 arrives
He waits for a few minutes but 372 doesn’t want to leave just yet, so he departs 05.06
05.24 LJ2 returns a wee while later.
372 takes her well earned rest now and LJ2 gets ready to settle in.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
.
This was a disturbance in the night, amid her watchfulness (it took too long to upload this morning, I had to leave):
IMAGICAT
05.26
372 flew to the tower perch.
05.28 She did a lot of preening
05.55 and also watched the fish below.
06.38 She returned to the nest just over an hour later.
and the 2 birds changed over.
LJ2 attempted mating but 372 said No.
07.39 372 rolls the eggs
LJ2 arrived at 07.54, 372 sat still. Gulls could be heard above.
07.57 372 has a conversation with LJ2.
then leaves.
07.58 LJ2
08.06 372 returns a few minutes later. She stands on LJ2’s tail as she walks over beside him.
08.06 LJ2 tries mating but again is declined.
There has been more swapping incubation as the morning has gone on.
09.18 372 looking very sleepy her as her eyes close head dips down.
10.06 372 was sitting comfortably on the eggs when she suddenly let out a warning call and flew off.
10.07 A minute later, LJ2 flew onto the nest
372 was right behind him
She hovered above the nest then came down so LJ2 left.
She initially stood and looked around
10.08 before resuming incubation.
It’s still very windy here.
10.19 LJ2 flies in with a branchy stick
10.20 It’s a bit of a squeeze. 372 gets up out of the way and flies off.
LJ2 left the stick where it landed, protruding to the right.
He started incubating the eggs.
The nest swapping continues. It’ll be a lot warmer sitting low over the eggs surrounded by soft materials than perching on a branch or post.
10.53
12.27 LJ2 brings in more nesting materials, a few small sticks.
372 stays on the eggs. She is doing the bulk of incubating now, learning as she goes.
12.34 It’s really been a horrible windy, rainy morning.
14.07 I believe this is still 372, sitting since the 12.34 changeover. Perhaps LJ2 is fishing. ©️NWWT, WW, BOP
We have a 3rd egg. Laid at 15.46.
16.50 Better view later when LJ2 arrives with large headless trout for 372. Boy does she deserves it, laying an egg in this weather!
More photos to come!
WOW! Well done 372 & LJ2
Well done, yet another egg on a nest
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Thanks Sandra and Catlady. So that’s why she was declining mating!