CONTINUED FROM MAY 2024
LINK to Opening Page with background and history of this nest and relevant links
This season so far
31 March Blue LJ2 returns
1 April Blue 372 briefly visits, 6 April Blue 372 returns and stays
Sadly, Blue LM6 has not returned
Eggs laid
#1 April 23 - 17.40, #2 April 26 - 19.28, #3 April 29 - 15.46
Hatched
June 2 - 00.52, June 4 - 09.48? I believe these are eggs 2 and 3.
All captures and videos ©️NWWT, Welsh Water, Brenig Osprey Project
RESUMÉ FOR MAY 2024
The new couple’s relationship has continued to grow. They have worked hard together to maintain and strengthen their nest, bringing in new materials daily. Both birds have been catching fish and sharing these with each other. They have also shared incubation and developed strategies to get each other off the eggs when needed! They have also defended their nest from intruders, the most traumatic being when Blue 432, Eshells, a 3 year old returner from Kielder visited on the 9th of May.. Blue 372 fought hard to keep her place on the nest as she was continually chased and dive bombed in Blue 432’s bid to oust her. The eggs were left unattended for around 3 1/2 hours. Luckily it was a warm evening so hopefully no damage done. The most exciting visit came from dear KA9 (22), Gelert, son of LJ2 and LM6 when he arrived on the morning of the 25th of May. It was a short visit as he was soon ushered away by LJ2.
EDIT: 14.16 something has got 372’s attention as she stares out to the water.
14.16 Oh no!! She’s got alarmed and flown off sounding the danger call, like the human intruder call.
because she left at such speed, little bob got caught and whipped off to the side of the nest.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
On no, Glider! I hope it's ok?
Yes Sandra, it’s a miracle. Somehow, it managed to get itself back into the nest cup.
I had taken photos and was ready to post then lost them. (Just like what happened to you the other day!)
I’ll try again.
Oh phew - amazing! (about the chick, not your predicament!)
14.18 372 returned to the nest 2 minutes later. Little bob was curled up in the same position.
372 looked at her chick
Little bob managed to do a backward flip lunging itself forward.
14.19 It then somehow, bit by bit, got closer to the nest cup
14.20 It’s just beside 372’s right wing now.
372 looked down at her little one
She got up and little bob wriggled into the nest cup.
It even managed to turn itself so was lying with its head to the front of 372.14.22 safe again under mum.
What a fighter that wee one is and strong, able to instinctively move that distance to safety. ©️NWWT, WW, BOP
Sandra said:Oh phew - amazing! (about the chick, not your predicament!)
Isn’t it Sandra! It’s only a few hours old and knew it had to get back to the safety of the nest cup. Maybe that wee feed it had helped its strength!
I'm sure you're right, Glider!
BRILLIANT, absolutely BRILLIANT!!!
372 was spooked again by something and left the nest in a hurry alarm calling. Both times today, she has been looking out to the water and sailing boats have been in the distance.
15.15 372 elongates her neck as something has her full attention.
15.16 She leaves in a hurry, at a different angle from the last time and little bob stayed in the nest cup. Phew!
15.17 LJ2 flies onto the nest. He looks a lot at his little chick.
15.18
15.20 372 returns, she came from the direction of the nest perch.
15.21 She settles on little bob and the eggs.
Once LJ2 sees 372 settled, he leaves.
©️ WWT, WW, BOP
17.58 Feeding time again. LJ2 brings in a fine headless fish.
For a minute, it looks like he’s pondering whether to do the feed. 372 waits beside him.
17.59 Then she decides she’s taking the fish
18.00 The feed is blocked to begin with
18.03 Then LJ2 leaves
372 pulled off small pieces which she ate herself as well as giving little bob some.
18.04
18.06
18.07
18.09 She took the fish further away from the bob to speed eat some larger pieces.
18.11
18.12
372 then went around the nest eating the scraps.18.15 She found the inners she had pulled out of the fish a short while ago and discarded
and started eating that.18.18 She got to the last part and dropped it.
18.19 Then over to brood her chick.
Lovely captures, thanks Gilder.
That was quite a hair raising moment earlier !! "Phew" is the only word that comes to mind.
Relieved all is well and that the chick seems none the worse for its ordeal.