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 - 8B8 (M) 1500g 265mm - 8B9 (F) 1620g 291mm
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.
Didn’t I just know that the very day I wouldn’t be online that the chicks would get ringed!! Thanks for the info AG and photos Scylla. I always suspected we would have one of each.
This was Brenig’s announcement earlier on FB
Welcome 8B8 and 8B9
09.19 Looks like it was a lovely day here today.
12.22 One of the chicks stands up to show off their new bling - It’s 8B9 the female.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
16.39 Here’s 8B8 our lovely boy trying to self feed on the leftover fish.
18.55 372 has been calling for more fish but I haven’t seen any more deliveries.
20.22 Still calling
21.34 She’s calling really loudly. It’s not like LJ2 to only deliver 2 fish in a day.
22.49 No late supper for the family. They’re down for the night. The rain is starting.
9 July
04.48 Good morning. A big change to yesterday, 372 trying to keep her 2 chicks dry.
05.40 LJ2 arrives with a small fish.
.
05.41
05.44 As 8B8 gets fed, 8B9 lifts her wings as if feeling the air blow through.
05.48 8B8 feeds well with a little for 8B9 and the tail fin for 372.
And the fin tail for 372
05.59 372 back to sheltering the chicks.
06.27 LJ2 delivers a 2nd small fish.
The chicks present themselves for a feed.
06.28 LJ2 brings the fish to the other side of the nest for 372 to take.
06.31 It’s a very quick feed.
06.38 When it’s only small fish delivered, the bulk of 372’s diet is tail fins.
06.39 She calls for more.
06.42 Back to sheltering again, 372 remains standing.
07.40 Change of position
08.21 and a change again
08.49 Another wee fish arrives
8B8 gets fed first
08.56 then 8B9
09.00 and 372 with the tail fin.
09.02 8B9 doing some wing movements
09.04 8B8 lifts his wings too
09.13 LJ2 arrived at the tower perch to preen.
09.49 He was later joined by 372 for a short spell.
12.25 That’s more like it LJ2!
12.26 372 ate the first piece herself.
12.36 A meaty piece for 372.One chick is being fed whilst the other is behind doing a little flapping.
12.51 Both chicks got fed.
12.53
12.55 more flapping going on
12.59 chick watches how mum tears off some skin.
13.11 both chicks have withdrawn from the feed.
13.13
13.25 372 carried on eating and one of the chicks came back for more. 13.35 372 paused and looked around
13.37 she then let go of the fish, feaked her beak and took a comfort break.
13.39 LJ2 came to see if there was anything left and found the tail end to take off nest to eat. ©️NWWT, WW, BOP
This was a post from Brenig a couple of days ago about KA9, Gelert returning for another visit.
15.54 LJ2 brought in a jack pike later in the afternoon.
15.55 8B8 got pole position for a feed.
15.56 8B8 couldn’t wait and tried to take the fish from 372
15.57 372 started feeding him.
15.58
16.00
16.10 both chicks settled down, 372 a bit distracted, not feeding, just looking around.
16.11
16.17
16.21 feeding resumed, both chicks getting some.
16.34
18.07 Hello 372 - watching us watching you!18.33 The rain’s heavier again. At least the chicks heads will be dry and cosy!
19.06 372 gets up as she sees LJ2 incoming with a fish.
19.09 Both chicks came over. It was a start stop start feed but 372 and the chicks all ate.
19.23
19.40
19.55 372 releases the fish.