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 26
Good morning. Both chicks went to bed with full crops last night. In the morning, 372 gave them another feed from what was left of last night’s fish.
06.12 #1 ate first, #2 still lying down.
#2’s eyes open
06.14 as #1 feeds, #2 stretches and has a preen.06.16 After #2 joined the feed, it had to wait a couple of minutes before mum started feeding it.
06.18
#1 turned to leave the feed
06.20
06.23 #2 finished, some now for 372
06.25 time for a comfort break
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
06.30 After 372 returned from the comfort break, she picked up the fish again to eat.
06.33 #2 got another piece
then #1 as #2 turned away
06.39 #1 got another solo feed
#1 was finished and 372 started on the tail fin
06.40 #1 had a tiny piece of fish on the tip of its beak
As #1 lay down in front of #2, #2 pecked the morsel of fish off #1’s beak
At least #1 didn’t object, readjusted then lay down.
07.32 LJ2 came in with a stick and nearly stabbed #1 chick. It brushed the chick’s body as LJ2 landed.
LJ2 fell to the side as the chick vocalised and got up.
07.33 Thank goodness all was well
After doing some stick rearranging, LJ2 left.
08.30 He returned within the hour with a large trout.
08.31
08.32 372 starts feeding #2. #1 is asking to be fed by dad.
08.36
08.39 372 changes position so she can reach #1 as well.
08.43
08.52
08.56 both chicks retired, 372 continues eating.
10.34 LJ2 returned with the fish he’d taken earlier.
10.36 372 wasn’t too fussed about taking it. The chicks presented themselves to dad asking to be fed.
10.40 He waited a few minutes then started.
10.51
Suddenly, 372 was tracking something above. LJ2 was still feeding.
LJ2 then noticed too. He started chipping as well as mantling.
10.52
It didn’t come to anything.
10.54 LJ2 feaked his beak then left the nest, leaving the fish behind.
The nest stayed calm after LJ2 left. The chicks seemed satisfied after their wee feed from dad.
12.10 Chilling with mum.
13.27 Two and a half hours after LJ2 left, 372 decided to collect the fish. The chicks got ready for another feed.
The fish looked very dry and crispy.
The feed was blocked by 372 for the duration.
13.37 372 started vocalising and the feed was finished as she walked away.
14.29 The chicks were having a good sleep.15.26 372 ate the dried up fish.
15.52 LJ2 briefly visited.
16.25 LJ2 could be heard chipping from nearby. He then landed on the nest.
They were tracking something then 372 started shouting and mantling with LJ2 chipping and mantling..
A large bird was seen flying in the distance.
16.30 The birds watched and waited in silence. Five minutes later LJ2 suddenly spread his wings then brought them down again. He then chipped.
He then flew off.
©️NWWT. WW. BOP
16.41 372 remained vigilant for a short while then started preening.
17.28 LJ2 brought in some sticks.
17.29 372 requested a fresh fish as LJ2 pottered about replacing sticks.
He soon left.
LJ2 hasn’t been fishing as the intruder has stayed in the area.
18.28 372 starts flapping and shouting.
18.29 LJ2 joined her and started chipping
18.30 He then left
372 left as well
18.33 then 372 returned
LJ2 returned as well.
A few seconds later LJ2 left again.
18.42 372 stayed this time and things quietened down again.
21.00 Finally, LJ2 brought in a live fish. The chicks last had a feed at 13.27 and that was just for 10 minutes.
21.03 Both chicks ate well.
21.10
21.25
#2 stood back to withdraw from the feed. It made eye contact with #1.
As #2 turned away, #1 grabbed its head
#2 went into submissive position but #1 followed it and grabbed the back of its neck and shook it.
21.26 #1 lets go. 372 has continued to eat the fish.
Next thing, LJ2 arrives with another fish.
372 drops the one she’s eating and goes to collect this latest fish.
#1 is being fed as #2 is still curled in a submissive position.
21.28
21.33 A few minutes later, LJ2 arrives with another live fish. Looks like he’s found a shoal of perch.
372 is holding one fish and tries to take the other with her beak
LJ2 thinks better and keeps a hold of it
21.34 He moves to the other side of the nest. #2 gets up.
So that was 3 fish in 33 minutes! Way to go LJ2!