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)
MIGRATIONS
8B8 Emrys - 03/09/24 (92days old) / 372 03/09/24 (3years old)
8B9 Bethan 06/09/24 (96 days old) / LJ2 last seen on the evening of 06/09/24 so probably left 07/09/24 (6 years 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.
Good morning Karen, aw thanks so much, so kind of you to say.
28 July
04.52 A misty start to the day. The youngsters were up around an hour ago preening.05.10 Bethan does some wing beating.
She leaves on her first flight of the day at 05.11. (The image is too blurry to post!)
Emrys watched her movements then stood up as if thinking Bethan was going to land.
05.22 False alarm! Emrys did some wing beating and jumping. I think he’s a bit “owl like” here!
05.35 A misty view on the tower perch with 372 and Bethan.
05.55 Emrys did some preening
06.16 and was resting when 372 arrived with a stick.
He pecked at 372 when she landed, not aggressively but a warning? Maybe her stick poked him?!©️NWWT, WW, BOP
I feel for Emrys, stuck there alone. 06.58 He ‘s been looking up at Bethan on the tower perch and doing wing flapping and preening.
08.17 Bethan is loving her newfound freedom. Sitting there quite relaxed.08.30 Bethan decides to join Emrys again.
A better landing this time.
08.31 She doesn’t stay long, a quick preen and she’s off again.
08.37 Emrys lay down slowly and pancaked. Chipping could be heard.
372 flew onto the nest followed by LJ2, mantling and chipping.
08.39
Things quietened down.08.40 372 flew off.
LJ2 stayed a little longer, leaving at 08.47.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
10.09 LJ2 joins 372 on the tower perch.
11.11 Emrys moved about the nest.
11.12 He had a few wee jumps but no big helicoptering that I saw.
11.29 LJ2 arrived with some nesting
372 landed asking for fish.
11.55 Emrys was alone again and went to the very outer edge of the nest.
11.57 He moved along a wee bit and flapped his wings.
11.59 He stood for a few moments then flapped
then a quick preen of his wing feathers
then a pause to pluck up the courage
a lift up of the wings
and up he went
Emrys has fledged!!
He landed on the tree in front of the nest.
Emrys is 54 days old today, Bethan, 56 days old.
Here he is on the tree.
Approx 12.40 Bethan is on the tower perch.
Emrys still on the tree.
Great news about the fledges Glider, thanks
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Yeah, they’ve both done well.
Wonderful news - thanks Glider
You’re welcome!
13.57 Bethan touched base with a few chirps to announce her arrival.
She flew off less than a minute later.
14.06 A short while after 372 arrived at the nest. She started fish calling
14.07 LJ2 brought in a whole mullet?
14.07 First time in a while that 372 has taken a fish off LJ2 on an empty nest!
14.08 LJ2 left and Bethan flew in. She was in full “fish” voice mode.
14.09 She approached 372 and tried to take the fish.
372 wasn’t for letting go
372 won this battleEmrys then joined the party, landing on the outer edge of the nest. His first nest landing.
He walked over a bit to stronger footing.
Bethan getting fed.