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
Thanks Scylla.
4 April
LJ2 spent the night on the perch with his half fish.
03.08
06.16 He had a wee nibble in the morning
06.43 He’s been back and forward between the nest and PTZ cam perch.
07.0607.21 The fish was left behind on the nest (on the edge under his talons)
07.42 What a lovely bright morning, the water looks so still.08.0908.44
09.51 Shifting bark in the nest cup
and scraping and kicking bark everywhere
10.25 That annoying sticky up bit
11.06 Just can’t fix it!
Fish piece still there. ©️NWWT, WW, BOP
Come home LM6, everything’s ready for you. This was your date of return last year.
12.05 LJ2 decided to go back for the fish tail he’d left on the nest.
After flying off with it elsewhere, he returned shortly to finish the rest on the PTZ cam perch.
12.2512.57 down to the final tail piece, no dropping it this time!
13.46 More fussing at the nest, getting it just right for LM6’s return.
13.47 Looking handsome as ever
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
17.11. Still waiting……
5 April
06.09 I got a wee bit excited as I thought I heard sky dancing briefly over the buffeting wind just before LJ2 landed on the nest this morning. It didn’t come to anything.LJ2 has made a few visits to the PTZ cam perch and nest.
07.22 The gulls were swooping down at him on this visit.
07.45
10.53 He’s currently hunkering down on the PTZ cam perch (or the Tower perch and they call it on the Brenig Osprey FB) after doing some nest sorting.
This was just posted on Brenig Osprey Project FB. Still no news of LM6.
The PTZ/Tower cam is a lot higher than I’d imagined.
13.24 LJ2 has spent most of the day on the tower perch so far. ©️NWWT, WW, BOP
16.29 The nest cup is well formed and ready for LM6.
LJ2 just stretched out his wings and the wind lifted him up vertically.
19.48 LJ2 got himself a wee fish for supper.
I don’t know if it was the wind or him coming in too fast but he missed the perch and had to do a quick adjustment!
Sorry, I could only get a blurry image.
He was enjoying the fish but unfortunately he moved his left foot that was holding it and it slipped out of his talons into the water below
20.02
He fecked his beak and flew off elsewhere to roost. I hope he finds a sheltered spot with Storm Kathleen on its way. I really hope LM6 is safe resting somewhere too and not flying in that wind.