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 - (Second hatched) 8B8 (M) 1500g 265mm - (First hatched) 8B9 (F) 1620g 291mm
Chicks named 18/07/24 8B8 EMRYS - 8B9 BETHAN
Chicks fledged 28/07/24 (54 days old) - 27/07/24 (55days old)
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.
17.30 Both youngsters came to the nest for a wee 40 winks and a rest.
They maybe had a plan just to wait there until the next fish arrived!
19.01 372 arrived just in front of LJ2 who brought in a live fish.19.02 Bethan was the first to go for the fish
but she didn’t get a secure grip so 372 came in from behind LJ2 and took it.
19.03 She started the feed.
19.05 Bethan to the right getting most of the feed.
19.30 Emrys getting an individual feed now.
19.39
19.53 Bethan getting fed again.
19.57 Some for 372
20.01 there goes the tail fin.
20.02 Fish finished, Bethan flies off.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
20.27 Bethan and Emrys had a wee rest together.
20.58 Bethan decided to leave to sleep elsewhere.
She landed on the tree.
21.19 372 came to visit Emrys. She shouted for another fish.
21.32 Last orders for fish shouted then 372 left.
23.09 Emrys fast asleep.
31 July
Good morning. It’s very peaceful here today.
04.53 Someone flew to the tower perch . I think probably Bethan as she’s no longer on the tree she roosted on last night.
Emrys was up just after 5am, Bethan could be heard from close by. Emrys flew to the tree along from the nest.
05.35 Both youngsters on the tower perch now.
06.26
06.41 372 flew to the nest, she called for fish.
06.45 Just Emrys on the tower perch now, looking down into the water.
07.17 LJ2 came to the nest to do some tidying
Getting Emrys’ bed ready for tonight!
08.04 LJ2 returned with a short stick.
08.12 Bethan visited.
08.58 LJ2 returned with a big stick. Both juvies could be heard from nearby.
12.43 First fish arrived at lunchtime. 372 had flown to the nest to receive it.
12.44
LJ2 left and flew to the tower perch.
Bethan arrived on the nest and started getting fed.
12.48 Emrys arrived 4 minutes later.
12.54 Bethan continued to get fed, Emrys was vocalising
12.56 then he left.
12.57 Bethan turned away from 372 and cleaned her beak on a stick.
12.58 she then left the nest. 372 carried on eating
13.04 then left with the fish.
She flew to the tree along from the nest.
13.35 When 372 returned with what was left of the fish, LJ2 flew onto the nest just after her arrival.
He wanted the fish.
13.36 Once secured in his talons, LJ2 flew off.
Bethan just missed her chance.
13.41 LJ2 was on the tower perch eating the fish
He was joined by one of the juvies.
13.42 It was Emrys. However, LJ2 left just after Emrys’ arrival.
13.44 Emrys looks a bit hollow cropped as he hasn’t eaten yet today.
13.45 Bethan joined her brother.
13.47
14.08 Emrys left and Bethan vocalised.
15.17 LJ2 flew over from the nearby tree he was sitting on.
He started chipping.
372 flew onto join him, they were both chipping and mantling.
LJ2 stood on a stick, it had a sticky out branch.
The stick sprung up and it looked like LJ2 had his stick held under his wing ready to defend the nest!
15.18 LJ2 flew off
15.20 372 stayed a little longer then left as well.
16.24 The youngsters have been on the nest a few times. They’re hungry.
17.56 Looking out over the water for a parent incoming with a fish.
18.03 At last LJ2 arrives with a fish and of course, it’s Bethan who collects it.
Looks like a jack pike
18.05
18.17 Emrys managed to take the fish from Bethan.
18.19
18.22 Then Bethan took it back.
18.23
18.24 Bethan swallowing the tail fin.
18.34 Ten minutes later, Bethan was on the nest when 372 arrived with a headless whopper.
I had wondered why she wasn’t around for the last fish delivery - she had been busy getting her own!
Emrys’ wings are up on the treeHe arrives to see Bethan with a firm grip on the fish.
18.41 372 leaves, the star that she is ️
18.44 Bethan munching away
19.16 Emrys just has to wait his time before he gets his turn at eating.
19.18
19.49
20.09 Emrys steps off the fish.
LJ2 must’ve been watching his every bite and is on the nest straight away.
He bends down to take the fish, Emrys pecks at him.
That doesn’t deter LJ2 and he moves in for it again and takes it, watched by Emrys.
20.10
Off he goes.
20.54 372 is with Emrys on the nest when LJ2 returns with the fish.
372 takes it
20.55 and Emrys gets fed.
21.06 Bethan could be heard nearby. She then appeared on a lower part of the nest.
She walked up to the top
and started getting fed. She has such an incredibly loud voice!!
21.15 Soon, it was only the tail fin left, which Bethan ate.
She’s got a nice grounded crop.
Bethan stayed on the nest and lay with Emrys for a bit.
21.46 Bethan got up and left.
23.11 Emrys still prefers his comfy bed.