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.
June 18
Good morning. LJ2 brought his first fish of the day in early.
04.51
04.53
04.55LJ2 moved a stick further over to the perimeter
04.56
04.59
05.03
372 finished the feed. Both chicks ate well.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
05.06 LJ2 collected the fish for a feed
05.43 then brought it back
05.44 the chicks got another feed
05.46
05.48
05.50 feed finished
05.51 372 then moved a stick
Of course it fell onto the chicks!
She got it sorted though
05.53 Settled down again
06.23 372 went back for the fish end
06.24 looks like she finished it off
07.36 LJ2 brought in a long stick
08.21 the chicks squared up to each other and had their first fight.
Chick 2 made the mistake of starting it.372 then arrived with more nesting.
Chick 2 fell into submission
08.22 372 left again for more nesting and chick 1 started on chick 2 again.
08.23 It made sure chick 2 got the message. There is such a size difference between the two of them, I don’t know what chick 2 was thinking starting this in the first place.
372 with soft nesting this time.
08.24 an assortment of sticks
08.24 she has been very industrious
08.27 a piece of bark
08.28
08.30 and a rest.
10.02 LJ2 brought in a fine sized brown trout
10.03
the feed begins
10.04
10.06
10.09
10.11
10.13 #2 turns away
10.16 #1 turns away
10.17 372 eats some more
10.19
10.21
372 now stops eating
10.22 and goes back to the chicks.
10.28 LJ2 collected the trout for his share.
11.43 He later brought the fish back to 372
11.44 The chicks got a good feed and it was #1 who actually turned away first
11.48
11.52
11.53 #2 squeezes some more pieces in
11.55
11.56 372 has a few more pieces too
then walks away from the fish.
The fish is left with 372 and she gives the chicks another feed an hour and a half later.
13.30
13.35
13.37
13.42 both chicks are satisfied
372 lets go of the fish and does her best to brood the chicks. They’re growing fast and #1’s tail end is sticking out.
13.44©️NWWT, WW, BOP
14.29 Another quick feed
#2 retires early and #1 gets most of the fish.
14.31
14.39
14.42
372 still feeding the chicks off the brown trout.
15.24 They both get up, looking ready for a feed when #1 starts pecking at #2. I don’t know where that came from as they both have full crops and been getting well attended to.
372 looks to see what is going on
15.25 #1 still being aggressive towards #2 even though 372 is ready to feed it.
15.26 the feed begins solely for #1
15.29
15.32 #1 still feeding but #2 has lifted its head up and moved position.
15.35 #1 has lain down and 372 moves position. #2 is able to feed now.
15.36
15.39
15.41 last wee bit
#1 moves and lays down on top of #2’s head so that’s it’s feed finished.
372 swallows the last piece as #1 looks up.
15.43 back to brooding
16.31 #1 wriggles out for some fresh air
16.32
16.43
16.44 362 realises #1 is still down there!17.08 372 gets up to receive LJ2 who’s flying in.
No fish though
372 leaves LJ2 in charge of the chicks
Oh dear, #2 pecks at #1 and quickly has to submit whilst #1 pulls at its head.
17.09 LJ2 leaves.
17.10 it’s quietened down as 372 arrives with soft nesting.
17.12 She calls for fish.
20.05 Still waiting.