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.
The tower perch has been quiet this morning. LJ2 was there briefly at 08.00
09.01 372 landed on the nest with a headless fish, brown trout I’d say.09.02 Bethan quickly followed her on.
then Emrys arrived.
Bethan took the fish.
09.08 Emrys watches as Bethan munches away.
Hello, here’s another fish delivery. It’s LJ2 with a fresh brownie again I’d say.
Emrys takes the fish, it’s a live one.
09.09 That’s lovely, both juvies have a fish each. You’d think!Bethan can’t contain herself. Emrys’ fish looks better than hers!
Emrys pecks at her.
Emrys gives Bethan another warning.
Bethan is determined though and moves in again to take the fish.
Emrys makes contact on Bethan’s head
She gets the message this time.
Still watching, ignoring her own fish.
Another warning from Emrys.
09.11 Since it looks like Bethan’s not wanting her fish, LJ2 flies on to take it!
09.12 Now she has no fish and Emrys is still eating.
09.14 Bethan leaves the nest.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
09.34 Emrys gets 20 minutes peace before Bethan returns.09.37
09.44 After watching for 10 minutes, Bethan moves in to take the fish from Emrys’ talons.
She pulls hard and gets it
then starts eating straight away.
09.48 Emrys leaves
09.59 Bethan continues to feed and now swallows the tail end.
10.00 Then she’s off as well.
Some views from the PTZ cam.
10.55 LJ2 with the fish he took off the nest earlier.
10.56 close up
10.57 A view of the felled area with hide at the back right.
close up
10.58 372 nearby as well. She’s been preening.