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.
11.45 LJ2 enjoying some quiet time on the tower perch.
12.00
12.46 372 chose to do another feed. The bobs were a little less enthusiastic.
12.47 #1 managed to take some pieces
12.50 #2 then joined the feed.
12.51
12.52
12.57 #2 has given up and #1 is still managing to squeeze some more fish in!
12.58 the feed is finished.
13.01
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
Good to see dry, bright conditions!
Yes indeed Wendy. It’s been such a wet June all over the country.
13.40 372 took a quick comfort break. #1 bob lets out a big yawn. #2 resting/sleeping.
13.41 mum comes back
She starts preening, so does #1 bob.
#1 watches how it’s done
#1 has a go
13.43 both together
14.10 372 picked up the tail that was left over, in her left talons.
14.11 She started a feed
14.18
14.22
Both bobs fed then retired for a rest.
14.26 372 finishes her meal.
14.27
15.32 372 had been fish calling
LJ2 flew in with a long stick
He dropped it on 372’s back
She immediately turned her head, grabbed the stick and pulled it over to the side.
372 then moved the stick to in front of her.
Both birds paused and looked above
15.33 LJ2 flew off with 372’s fish calls in his ears.
17.21 372 got up and prepared for receiving LJ2’s incoming fish.
She lifted LJ2’s talons off the fish so she could pick it up
17.22 Unfortunately the whole feed was blocked by 372.
17.25
372 moved away from the fish when she’d finished the feed
revealing 2 bobs with full crops (#1 right)
17.36 LJ2 arrived and took the remainder of the fish.
17.43 LJ2 returned with the fish a few minutes after he’d taken it.
372 wasn’t interested. LJ2 waited.
17.58
17.58 372 started fish calling, she moved to get up, a bob moved forward, it was fish calling too
LJ2 picked a small piece of fish up in his beak and offered it to the bob, then to 372.
17.59 Both blanked him
372 charged in to take the fish from LJ2
17.59 372 ate some first
18.00 then fed the bobs
18.04
18.05
18.06 372 dropped the fish on the piece of wood she was standing on and returned to brood the bobs.
19.06 372 had been sitting brooding when she noticed the tail end of the wee fish they’d had an hour ago.
She got up and collected it and they had a wee feed.
19.07
19.09 down to the red tail fin already
372 swallows it
19.11 settled down again
Great news from Brenig FB, our lovely Gelert has now paid Dyfi a visit.
©️DOP/MWT
According to the chat on Dyfi, Gelert also intruded at Clywedog this afternoon at 15.28. I checked the footage but I didn’t see close enough images to ID Gelert and take photos. I guess Clywedog must’ve ID’d him with binoculars.