Well it’s been the most dramatic start to the season that I’ve seen. Blue 372 arrived early, LJ2 was late and Blue 416, a male known to 372 as a 2 year old (who intruded at Brenig with 372 in 2023) paired up with 372 until LJ2 arrived and fought to get his nest back.
372 and 416 were well set up together, 2 eggs were laid then on 18th of April, 8 days after returning, LJ2 made an almighty effort to oust 416, reclaim his nest and 372.
416 was last seen being chased off by LJ2 on the morning of 19th April. 372 laid a 3rd egg on 21st April. LJ2 wasn’t accepting of any of the eggs and they were broken or kicked out. One lay whole on the nest edge.
21st April saw LJ2’s first successful mating with 372 and their partnership has continued to grow.
26th April 372 laid her 4th egg but LJ2’s first. 3 days later in the late evening, 372 rolled 416’s egg from the nest edge into the cup. In the morning, LJ2 accepted it and they are doing a great job sharing incubation. The rolled egg is still considered non viable due to the length of time it was left unattended.
30th April 372 laid her 5th egg, LJ2’s second. SEASON 2025 UPDATES
RETURN DATES - Blue 372 March 24th - Blue 416 (Lake District 2020) March 30th - Blue LJ2 April 10th.
EGGS (372 and 416) #1. 15/04/23 23.13 -
(372 and 416) #2. 18/04/25 23.16 - ALL 3 EGGS DESTROYED OR NON VIABLE
(372 and 416) #3. 21/04/25 22.17 -
(372 and LJ2) #1. 26/04/25 22.29 - 29/04/25 372 rolled the egg on the nest edge back into the cup
(372 and LJ2) #2. 30/04/25 21.20 -
LINK to March/April 2025
LINK to First page opener
372 and LJ2 April 2025©️NWWT, WW, BOP
OTHER NEWS
17/04/25 Olwen X6(22) - parents LJ2/LM6 - first sighting as a returner intruded Dyfi (now thought to be a male)
22/04/25 Gelert KA9(22) - parents LJ2/LM6 - intruded Glaslyn (nest sibling to Olwen) (male)
07/05/25 Dilys 7B5(23) - parents LJ2/LM6 - first sighting as a returner intruded Glaslyn (female)
The birds have had quite a peaceful day, rotating nest duties and shared a wee afternoon snack.
10.45 The cam zoomed in to 372 preening on the nest perch after eating her morning fish.
11.50 The tower PTZ zooms into the crows’ nest. Looks quite a tight fit.
12.28 We then got a view of both the nest and perch together. 372 incubating and LJ2 preening looking nice and relaxed.
12.55 372 preening on a post.
13.14 The birds are using this perch far more than the tower perch at the moment.
15.51 LJ2 brings a tiny half fish for 372.
15.52 She eats it on the nest.
15.53
15.56 There goes the tail.
15.57 She had a check for scraps then left.
©️NWWT, WW, BOP
372 had to wait until after 8pm to get her next meal. She was calling when she saw LJ2 coming.
20.15
It was another tiny half fish. A jack pike again?
372 took the fish.
20.16 She started eating on the nest.
Then decided to eat elsewhere.
20.36 LJ2 keeping the eggs cosy.
372 returns to take over.
21.36 LJ2 flies onto the nest perch. That should be them for the night now.
May 20
Good morning. The birds have been sharing incubation and an unseen intruder was briefly around.
04.18 LJ2 arrives for first changeover.
06.06 It was a wet morning. 372 on the nest.
The eggs getting a good rolling.
08.11 The morning brightened up. LJ2 here.
09.04 Unseen intruder around. LJ2 flew on to defend the nest.
He set chase.
11.00 372 has been asking for fish, LJ2 back wanting to incubate.
11.59 LJ2 currently on the nest.
No fish yet today. 372 has been asking but LJ2 has just returned with nesting materials.
12.54 This looked like a fish but was just a piece of bark. Disappointment for 372.
13.19 The sides of the cup are getting higher. That’s 372 hiding!
14.54 372 telling LJ2 she’s not had anything to eat since that tiny fish last night.
15.24 372 was calling then she stopped when she saw what LJ2 was carrying this time.
17.42 LJ2 currently on the nest. 372 has been gone for more than 2 hours. Fishing?
Yes, 372 had indeed been fishing. She returned with LJ2’s share.
18.33 LJ2 was calling from the nest when he knew 372 was coming.
18.34 She brought a half fish for him.
It was a bit of a tug for LJ2 to take it.
He got it secured in his left talons
18.35 and away he went.
20.46 He returned later to relieve 372.
21.45 She was away for an hour then came back to do her night’s incubation.
22.26 Current scene. LJ2 roosting on the nest perch.
May 21
Good morning. LJ2 came to the nest really early this morning to take over incubation.
03.46
05.08 372 spent some time on the nest perch preening. I love the effects on the water around the nest this view brings.
She flew elsewhere for a bit and returned to the nest to relieve LJ2 at 06.06
06.36 LJ2 also visited the nest perch to do some preening.
07.31 He left there and flew back and forth
then rested just in sight of the camera. I didn’t realise there was a post or branch there!08.02 He stayed there for half an hour then flew downwards.
He crossed past the nest.
08.19 372 has been dozing on the nest.
09.13 LJ2 returned and 372 left.
Brenig FB posted news from North Wales Wildlife Trust.
We just need to find out what Gelert KA9 and Mari 7B6 are up to now!
10.33 LJ2 brought the tail end of the tiniest of fish to 372.
10.34She ate it there and then.
10.35 There goes the tail. That took about one and a half minutes to eat!
And off she went.
The two have continued to share incubation.
14.35 LJ2 arrived with 2 very long thin sticks.
He tried to place them on the nest.
14.36 The two kind of got caught with a stick and 372 fell to the side, using her wing for balance.
15.52 An unseen intruder was around.LJ2 joined 372 on the nest.
15.53 LJ2 was chipping.
The bird must’ve flown on. LJ2 started fussing with a piece of bark next to 372.
She sat tight and he flew off.
15.55 ©️NWWT, WW, BOP
17.07 Something caught 372’s eye. She stood up.
17.08 looked around
17.09 then sat down again.
17.57 LJ2 arrived with a small piece of fish but much better sized than the last one!
372 took it. Looks like a trout. EDIT - It’s a pike
Off she went clasping the fish.