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.
20.11 at last, another fish arrived.
372 was ready and waiting to receive the small live fish.
20.13 Chick #2 got the better of the first part of the feed.
20.17
20.18 and Chick #1 the later part
20.24
20.27 some for 372
20.32
20.33 372 swallows the last of the skin.
20.34 LJ2 arrives but there’s none left for him.
20.45 beautiful colours in the late sky again tonight.
21.34
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
June 19
Good evening. The first first delivery was quite late this morning and it was tiny.
09.17 372 has taken the fish from LJ2
09.18 We can’t see the feed
09.26 but it doesn’t last long.
The chicks have had a lot or air time today. They have been venturing out of the nest cup.
12.03
12.18 They’ve done lots of preening too.
15.19 #2 chick wonders what lies beneath!
15.36 Another fresh fish arrives, a bit bigger than the earlier one.
15.37 Both chicks got a good feed.
15.40
15.42
15.51
16.03
16.04 372 finishes off the last couple of pieces.
16.50 Another couple of fish are delivered in quick succession.
Looks like a wee pike.
16.51 both chicks fed off it
17.01 372 swallows the tail fin.
17.20 She’s hardly sat down when LJ2 appears with another, larger fish - headless this time.
17.22
17.24 #2 chick followed dad for a feed but mum had the fish and was feeding #1.
17.26 #2 went over to join #1 but didn’t join in
17.28 it was a very short feed.
18.28 LJ2 had taken the fish off the nest and returned with it.
18.29 Another feed for both chicks.
18.30
18.31 LJ2 started flapping. An Osprey was seen in the distant sky.
Both adult birds flapped and chipped. The chicks went quiet.
18.32 372 was screaming as the bird came near again
18.33 It flew on and 372 started feeding the chicks again.
18.38
18.43
18.46 372 had some to herself
18.48 finished for now.
19.21 372 picked up the tail piece for another feed.
19.22
19.45 she has the tail fin
but doesn’t eat it and puts it down.
That seems to be all the fish for today. After a slow start, LJ2 did well later in the day.
21.54
22.59
Nice post from Brenig on FB earlier today showing the growth of the chicks.
June 20
Good morning and what a beautiful one it is.
04.39 early morning sunrise.
06.32
07.30 372 discovered a leftover fish skin with tail fin.
07.31 she started eating
07.33 she turned to offer the chicks some
07.34
then proper breakfast arrived!
07.35 freshly caught.
.
Glider said:Good morning and what a beautiful one it is.
They deserve it - and so do we, who follow and suffer as if we were there
IMAGICAT
So true Scylla!
08.01 The chicks looked pretty full after the feed.
08.14 LJ2 takes the fish away for a feed himself.
08.25 372 picks up the fish tail from earlier again
08.35 and finishes it off.
09.21 LJ2 returns with the fish
09.23 372 was busy preening
so LJ2 started the feed.
09.24 372 then took over
09.56 The chicks look zonked as 372 is on a comfort break.
However, they managed a bit of argy bargy before mum returned.
11.48 Another feed from the fish.
12.43 Chick #2 has discovered the fish makes a good pillow!
12.44 Time for another feed.
13.09 The chicks have been following mum around the nest for some shade.
14.09 More fish for the chicks
14.18 chick #1 ate first, now #2 getting some.#1 is having a look over the side.14.53 LJ2 brought in a fresh fish.
372 took the fish straight away
14.54 the chicks got a feed
15.12 resting under the shade of mum again
15.42 another feed.
16.11 resting
16.31 LJ2 arrives with another fish, headless this time.
16.35 372 looks over at LJ2. The chicks are still resting.
16.38 372 has now taken the fish.
The chicks are up for another feed.
16.42
18.06 LJ2 took the fish off the nest again. The camera has given him dragon fly wings!
18.38 LJ2 brings the fish back.
18.39 He wanted to feed the chicks again.
372 was doing plenty of vocalising but made no attempt to collect the fish.
18.43 LJ2 carried on feeding.
18.58 still LJ2 feeding
19.00 372 finally took the fish from him.
19.01 and continued the feed.
Brenig FB informed us of an intruder around this morning.
I didn’t realise there were 4 yesterday!