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.
19.47 After 372 had finished with the fish, LJ2 took it.
19.58 He finished it off.
20.02 372 went to brood the chicks
20.04 they were sitting quite wide for her to cover
20.05 so she just went down the middle.
21.15
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
22.43 372 has managed to get her wings over the chicks for the night’s sleep.
June 21
Good morning. A dry start to the day with a bit of wind.
04.54
05.30
06.10 As 372 waited on breakfast she went off gathering sticks to reinforce the nest.
06.11
07.36 This stick fell from her talons before she landed.
07.38
07.40 oops, #1 got stood on as 372 tried to place the stick.
08.12 LJ2 arrived with a huge fish.
372 stood on it with both feet as she took it.
08.16 feeding the chicks
08.31 the feed was unseen but both chicks looked quite content as 372 moved away.
08.34
LJ2 arrived for the fish just after 372 had settled down on the chicks.
09.06 LJ2 didn’t eat long and returned with the fish half an hour later. 372 waited a few minutes before moving.
09.10 she then left for a comfort break, her right talons still curled in after carefully getting up from brooding the chicks.
The chicks started asking to be fed as LJ2 stood with the fish.
09.11 but 372 then returned and took the fish.
09.12 LJ2 did some stick rearranging
09.14 His tail end pushing on top of the chicks as he bent down to lower the stick
#2 moved out to the side
09.15 372 walked away from the fish
09.16 She then resumed feeding
09.18 but soon stopped again.
09.20 372 pottered around the nest, wing stretch from #1
09.21 372 shared a look with #1 before leaving
then returned with some finer twigs.
09.23 The chicks got a wee top up feed.
10.48 The chicks have had other feeds off the fish but 372 prefers to feed them hidden and her back to the camera!11.47 LJ2 has had more as well. He returned with the fish and 372 fed the chicks again.
11.50
12.09 LJ2 ate more on the nest
12.49 Just chilling
13.19 372 picked up the fish again and chick #2 got an individual feed.
13.25
13.33
13.35 #2 then stood back and turned away then lay down.
13.43 LJ2 arrived, chick #1 came over to 372 for a feed.
13.45 As 372 finished off the fish, she sent LJ2 off to catch another.
15.15 As the day has gone on, it seems more blustery on the nest. 372 was doing her best to shelter the chicks.
15.35 372 is aware LJ2 is incoming
15.36 He arrives with a clump of moss.
15.36 He gets an earful from 372 and leaves with his ears ringing.
15.37 He returns a minute later with a thick stick.
15.38 372 continued fish calling and the chicks joined in too.
16.07 Next time LJ2 arrived. It was with a fish in his talons.
16.08 372 takes the fish
and starts feeding the chicks.
It was a long feed, there were partial views of #1 chick to the left from time to time and it got a good feed.
I’ve no idea about chick #2.
16.21
17.01 Once finished, 372 flew off.
17.02 LJ2 landed 9 seconds later on top of the fish.
Then left with it.
372 returned.
17.07 back to sheltering the chicks.
17.32 LJ2 returned to the nest with the tail end of the fish.
17.33 372 made no effort to collect it so LJ2 ate it up.
18.57 He left and his next arrival was with a large live trout.
18.58 372 took it straight away
18.59 and began the feed. #2 (left) got a good feed.
19.03
#1 reached over and picked up dropped scraps.
19.13 #2 has turned away from the feed
19.18 372 continues to eat.
19.22 She steps away from the fish.
19.24 and covers the chicks.
Both chicks sporting full crops
I've just caught up with all your reports since the 16th, Glider, my word the chicks have grown! Many thanks for your super coverage!
Aw thanks Sandra, that’s a lot of reading for you! Yes, the chicks are really sprouting just now. #1 is huge, I don’t know if it’s just the 2 day difference or if #1 is female and #2 male? LJ2 is providing well for them though.
19.27 LJ2 arrived to take the fish.
20.25 The weather is pretty miserable. 372 has extended her wing to shelter the chicks.
20.55 LJ2 returns with the remainder of the fish.
He patiently waits until 372 is ready to take it. 21.45 He starts to nibble at it.
21.46 372 gets up and reveals the 2 chicks
She then takes a comfort break.
21.47 LJ2 started feeding one of the chicks.
21.48 372 returned and took the fish from LJ2.
21.51 she’s feeding the chicks but I can’t make out a thing so will just leave it there!