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.
14.59 372 and LJ2 have been spending some time together on the tower perch.
372 later paid a visit to the nest. She found a few scraps of fish.
15.50
15.52 she tried to straighten up a stick.
16.07 She spent time just looking around.
16.31 She must be having thoughts about when it’s time to leave.
16.50 What’s up there?
16.51 A noisy Emrys arrives.
16.51 372 leaves.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
17.43 The 2 youngsters were on and off the nest waiting on the next fish.
18.23
19.0419.47 Bethan
19.50 372 brought in a fish.
19.51 Emrys got the fish.
20.19 He chose to eat it on the nest. Bethan reminded him that she’d like some too.
20.51 As darkness fell, Emrys stepped away from the fish.
20.51 Bethan took her opportunity to eat.
21.21 Just looks like some skin is left.
Once finished, Bethan leaves.
21.34 Emrys decides to stay. He settles down.
23.21
25 August
Good evening. Today Bethan is 12 weeks old/84 days and Emrys 82 days.
7.01 Both juvies were on the nest to receive a fish from LJ2 this morning.
Bethan claimed it.
07.03
07.46 Bethan flew off with the remainder of the fish.
07.47 Emrys ate some scraps.
08.23 LJ2 came to the nest and started chipping.
Emrys arrived to give him support.
LJ2 left after a couple of minutes.
08.55 Half an hour later, Bethan landed with her fish, looking upwards. Emrys only had eyes for her fish.
Bethan started mantling then began eating her fish.
09.02 Emrys stayed close by as Bethan ate.
09.06 372 then brought a fish for Emrys.
09.07 Two happy juvies.
14.01 LJ2 flew in with a fish. Bethan followed him into the nest.
14.02 However, Bethan wasn’t hungry.
14.15 LJ2 left, returned and waited again but Bethan didn’t approach to take the fish so LJ2 left again.
14.18
15.27 Just over an hour later, Emrys was waiting on the nest.
15.28 LJ2 returned with the fish.
Emrys took it
Bethan joined them.
15.41 Emrys still eating.
16.30 Emrys had a good feed on the nest then flew off with the remainder of the fish.
18.46 Later, the pair were back on the nest fish calling.
19.01 A tiny fish arrives from LJ2
Bethan (right) got it.
19.12 It didn’t take her long to eat. She was soon cleaning her beak.
Emrys stayed on the nest then Bethan returned as 372 was flying in.
19.38 She had a small piece of fish which hit Emrys’ back on the way down.
Emrys took the fish.
19.59 Bethan stayed with him as he ate.
20.15 Emrys released the fish, stepped to the side then wiped his beak.
20.16 Bethan took the fish. Emrys does some hovering.
20.44 372 had a quick visit. The other juvie is on the nest perch.
20.52 I’m presuming this is Emrys who’s stayed on the nest.
22.15 Still here.
26 August
Good afternoon. Today Bethan is 85 days old and Emrys 83 days.
Emrys slept over on the nest. He left at 05.35 with the night cam still on. 06.26 The 2 juvies briefly met on the nest.
08.24 372 made an appearance and Emrys flew up from the nest perch straight away to join her.
08.25 372 left but lucky for Emrys, LJ2 arrived…….. with a fish!
08.29 A few minutes later Emrys left with his fish.
08.35 Bethan came to the nest.
08.37 She had a lengthy preening session.
08.55 Calling for fish in between beakfuls of feathers!
09.36 She spots an adult incoming.
It’s LJ2 with a fish.
09.39 Bethan chooses to eat on the nest.
09.46 372 lands with a fish 7 minutes later.
09.47 Bethan was vocalising loudly whilst holding onto her fish. 372 offered her a feed from hers.
09.48 Mixed messages for 372 as Bethan calls loudly but doesn’t want mum’s fish.
09.54 They’re both eating now.
09.59 Bethan decides to leave with her fish.
10.02 Then 372 leaves with hers.