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.
19.11 372 arrives on the nest.
19.54 She waits
19.54 and when Bethan helicopters off the fish, 372 moves forwards to take it.
19.55
19.56 Bethan leaves and 372 eats what’s left.
20.01 She stays on the nest as Emrys is still eating.
20.16 Emrys then lifts his wings and stands off the fish.
20.16 372 moves forward warily and takes the fish. (She’s not wanting pecked at again!)
20.18 Emrys comes over to be fed.
20.24 A few minutes later, Bethan glides in next to Emrys
20.25 and starts to get fed.
20.26 Emrys moves back as Bethan feeds.
20.43 Emrys joins the feed again.
20.54 Bethan still wants more.
20.55 Bethan leaves
21.01 Mum and son
21.07 372 finishes off the fish that she caught then leaves. Emrys may be settled for the night.
21.09 No he isn’t and has some gliding fun in the wind.
21.31 Currently Emrys has LJ2 on the nest with him.
NWWT, WW, BOP
3 August
Good morning. Emrys slept the whole night on the nest again. He looks so comfy!
03.59
He got up at 04.00 for a preen and lay down again at 04.50.
05.15 He flew off to start the day.
05.18 He came to the tower perch for some preening.
06.01 He left for a short while
06.01 Meanwhile on the nest, 372 was doing some stick tidying
Bethan joined her
06.21 Emrys returned to the tower perch.
06.48 more preening
07.31 LJ2 joined him
07.33 Another brief visit to the nest by Bethan.
07.50 372 brings a clump of soft nesting.
09.02 LJ2 arrives with a short stick.
Bethan follows him on in case there was a fish on offer!Then Emrys arrives. LJ2 leaves.
09.03 The youngsters together.
09.10 372 getting some time to herself on the tower perch.
10.07
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
10.25 The PTZ cam caught both juvies on the tree.
10.49 Then on the tower perch.
J
11.55 Emrys left a wee while ago and Bethan was then joined by 372.
The nest has been pretty quiet this morning with no fish deliveries as yet.
First fish of the day arrives and it’s a flounder!! I don’t think I can remember a flounder being brought to the nest before.
13.09 LJ2 bringing in a flounder.
372 takes the fish and Emrys arrives.
14.26 Second fish brought in by LJ2. 372 and Bethan on the nest.
Emrys arrives
17.05 Third fish delivery. Bethan and Emrys on the nest to receive it from LJ2.
They both want it. (Emrys left)
Still pulling
and Bethan wins it with Emrys falling back on release of his grip.
The end of the fish had been left on the nest.
18.07 8B8 flew on to get it.
18.08 He did a bit of helicoptering whilst holding fish, learning an new essential skill.