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.
18 July
Good morning. 372 spent her first night off the nest as the chicks were a bit restless and wriggly I suspect to sleep with!
00.13 372 decided to leave.00.14 a dark shape could just be made out arriving on the tower perch, which would be 372.
04.12 She was still there in the early morning light.
372 was there until 5am then left.
05.02 She picked up a wee chunk of bark and came to the nest.
05.33
372 stayed there until just before 6am.
06.01 8B9 then got some flying practice in. She managed a higher jump than yesterday which saw her land on 8B8’s tail.
He got up.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
06.15 372 arrived with a branch.
06.16 She’s getting those cot rails higher.
06.42 LJ2 brought in the first fish of the day.
372 collected it straight away.
06.43 The feed began with 8B9.
06.52 still feeding
06.55 8B9 leaves the feed
07.00 8B8 takes his time in going over to be fed.
07.08 8B9 shows an interest in the new cot rails as 8B8 feeds.
07.15 8B8 has had enough fish.
He now goes over to tackle the new branch.
He’s determined to move it.
07.16 372 getting a bit squeezed out.
07.19 LJ2 now arrived, it’s a very crowded nest!
372 flies off
07.20 LJ2 then flies off with the fish. 8B8 looking over the now unobstructed view!
07.20 372 brought in a piece of wood.
07.37 LJ2 brought the tail end of the fish.
07.38 He started eating it.
07.49 He fed a few pieces to 8B8
07.54 LJ2 ate some more then 8B8 grabbed the loose skin.
07.55 LJ2 released his grip on the fish and 8B8 did his best to swallow it.
07.57 8B9 then took the fish from 8B8
8B8 had his eyes on bigger things - getting that branch sorted out!!
07.58 372 then arrived with a long stick.
07.59 She started with the housework
08.00
08.01 then found the fish that 8B9 had abandoned.
08.03 Both chicks presented themselves but as 8B9 was being fed, 8B8 wandered away.
08.05 8B8 went forward again but 8B9 was fed over 8B8’s head.
08.06 8B8 then got a couple of pieces.
08.07 Then the fish was finished with 372 swallowing the tail fin.
08.53 8B9 is trying so hard with her wingercising and little jumps.
372 flew to the tree.
10.15 She has been on the nest for spells then off the again.
10.07 Meanwhile, LJ2 has been on the tower perch looking very white!
11.21 Just over an hour later, 372 came to join him for a wee while.
11.46 One of the chicks ventured to the very edge of the nest for a squirt, it’s windy up there. My heart was in my mouth as the wind caught its feathers.
It managed to steady itself and get down.
12.06 Currently on the nest. 372 has been fish calling.
14.11 LJ2 arrives with a fresh fish.
372 takes hold of it.
14.12 The chicks aren’t in a rush to be fed. They are still doing their wingercising.
14.13 372 has started eating anyway.
There are now a pair of legs behind 372 waiting to be fed. It’s 8B9.
14.14 8B8 is waiting his time.
14.19 Looks like 8B8 is at the feed as well now.
14.20 Yes, 8B8 is feeding now.
14.23 8B9 has left the feed to feel the wind beneath her wings.
15.27 372 resting her eyes on the tower perch.
I think she must’ve still had her eyes closed when later she was trying to place a stick on the nest!
16.41 It got dropped in between the chicks.Then on 8B9’s back
16.42 372 was trying to place the stick on the edge but 8B8 was in the way as she pushed forward.I was worried she might push him off!
She dropped it at his feet.
16.42 It’s a wonder she didn’t poke an eye out with that pointy end.
The stick is now resting on 8B8’s shoulder.
372 moves it to his back
Back to dropping it on 8B9’s back
and it falls down in between the chicks. And that’s where it stays….. for now anyway!
372 brings more nesting material.
18.14 An earthy clump
18.40 A short straight stick, thankfully!
19.49 Oh my 372, what a size of a stick you’ve brought this time!
20.02 8B8 thought he’d reposition the stick
Byeeeeeee! Oops down it went. ©️NWWT, WW, BOP
20.14 LJ2 finally brought another fish to the nest. It was a bit on the small side. They last ate at the back of 14.00.
372 had to make her way between the 2 chicks to get to the fish.
8B8 tried to grab the fish off mum but she held onto it.
372 then switched from talons to her beak, 8B8 still wanted that fish. They had a wee Tug o’ War and of course 372 won.
20.15 Both chicks went to the feed, they both wanted every bite.
20.18 They had their own Tug o’ War for a piece and 8B9 won.
20.33
20.36 It didn’t take long for the feed to come to an end. Last piece for 372.
20.37 She started calling for more.
That seems to be it for tonight. 372 is still on the nest with the chicks and the night cam has just come on. ©️NWWT, WW, BOP