Continued from June 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? It is not known for certain which eggs these are. My thoughts are these are eggs 2 and 3 and egg number 1 did not hatch. (Left unattended on a frosty night)
However, the consensus among the volunteers is that it is eggs 1 & 2 which have hatched. Llyn Benig is around 1000 feet above sea level so the ambient temperature is around 2 degrees Celsius lower than at sea level which might account for longer hatching times. It has certainly been a cold hatching period. (AG)
Chicks ringed 08/07/24 - 8B8 (M) 1500g 265mm - 8B9 (F) 1620g 291mm
All captures and videos ©️NWWT, Welsh Water, Brenig Osprey Project
RESUMÉ for JUNE 2024
This has been a month of fast change. Two chicks were born at the beginning of the month. On chick 1’s day of hatching, someone was flying a drone in the area and it spooked 372. She alarm called and quickly left the nest with the little chick being thrown to the nest edge as she left. Somehow that wee one had the instinct and strength to move back to the nest cup and safety again. 372 has proven to be a great first time mother. She has gently fed the chicks, given them warmth and shelter and LJ2 has provided well with a variety of daily fish. There have been the usual intruders which has distracted LJ2 at times from bringing in fish but he would always bring some later on. The chicks are now 4 weeks old and developing very well. There is a hierarchy between the chicks with #1 being dominant over #2, mostly at feeding times. #2 knows to allow #1 to feed first then it’ll get its turn. Gelert KA9(22) son of LJ2 and LM6, was photographed at Dyfi 3 weeks after his visit here on 25 May.
You’re very welcome Wendy! It’s so nice when they get to this stage and the sibling rivalry has calmed down.
372 and LJ2 have done an amazing job raising their youngsters.
12.51 372 flew to the nest to receive a whole fish from LJ2.
12.53
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
14.11 Everyone fed, 372 finishes off the fish, swallowing the tail fin
14.31 LJ2 on the tower perch.
15.29 Just chillin’
16.17 LJ2 brought in a small whole fish
372 barged through between the youngsters to get to the fish.
16.18 both youngsters ate
16.28
16.41 some for 372
16.43 last piece.
16.44 372 started calling for more.
17.51 372 flew up to the tower perch.
18.05 She did some preening.
19.15 and stayed until she saw LJ2 returning from fishing.
19.16 She returned to the nest.
19.17 LJ2 arrived with another small whole fish.
372 took it
19.19 8B9 ate first
19.23 8B8 did some flapping practice. He’s getting stronger and steadier in his stance.
19.25 When 8B9 had had enough, the youngsters swapped places. 8B9 did her wingercising.
19.27 8B9 likes to look into the water below.
19.32 8B8 still feeding
19.39 372 munched down the tail fin.
Another look, it’s all gone.
19.45 372 left the nest
20.14 and returned just in front of LJ2.
He had another whole fish, a little larger than the previous two.
372 had to move through between her youngsters again to reach the fish.
20.15 Both youngsters dipped in and out of the feed.
20.21
20.25
20.34
20.39 Both osplets satisfied.
20.40 last piece.
20.49 372 did some tidying then needed to rest her eyes.
21.36 So peaceful 21.41 372 returns to the nest.
21.44 LJ2 is on the tower perch.
22.22 Night falling, LJ2 leaves a minute later to roost elsewhere.
23.14
15 July
Good morning. 372 stayed on the edge of the nest *overnight until leaving just after 3am.
*10 min break at 01.18
03.04
04.27 8B8 and 9 are awake.
04.26 Someone lands on the tower perch
04.48 Dad pops by to say hello. Mum can be heard chattering away to him.
It was 372 on the tower perch as she remained there until 04.59
04.57 8B8 and 9 get up for a flap and a shake. The nest is covered with moulted feathers.
05.00 Some wingercising by both birds. First 8B9, she is stronger and faster than 8B8
05.02 Resting time now
05.33 Close up, the morning sun catching their dark amber eyes. (8B9 nearest cam)
06.14 372 brought in some nesting materials.07.10 She has been on and off the nest, mostly off watching from nearby, giving the youngsters space!08.05 It wasn’t until now that 372 found the leftover piece of fish on the nest.
8B8 and 9 weren’t really interested although one of them took some but was keen to get back to preening.
They must be so itchy with their baby feathers being replaced with their big ones.
08.07
08.12
08.16
08.38 372 preening
09.05
09.37 372 landing on the tower perch.
10.34
11.08
11.15ish 372
11.59 372 returns to the nest.
13.10 LJ2’s first fish of the day, a headless one is delivered.
13.11 372 has collected it
13.12 Both 8B8 and 9 get a feed.
13.20
13.32 372 left eating alone.
13.35 372 started feeding one of the youngsters again.
13.50 It turned away to lay down.
13.55 372 finished off the fish.
13.58 After cleaning up, 372 left the nest flying down to the water.
13.59 She dipped her talons in skimming the water’s surface.
©️NEWT, WW, BOP