A welcome return...

The arrival of 372 was a welcome relief, as the weather conditions hadn't been favourable and we knew that the return journey would be challenging. We felt confident that 372 was en-route because she had been seen near Madrid, resting and feeding up for a week prior to her arrival at Llyn Brenig. On Friday 26^th March she returned and we all felt relieved. Then thoughts turned to our Male, LJ2, and when he might arrive. Some thought that after lasts year's dramatic start to the season he may have arrived earlier, but news of the difficult weather conditions had us wondering whether he would make it...

It was then that an unringed male osprey arrived on the scene. First spotted landing on the nest where 372 was eating and promptly stealing her fish! He stayed around for 3 or 4 days and during that time he was making himself very much at home, sky dancing, bringing in fish for 372 and attempted mating, he was also making efforts to build the nest. 

LJ2 eventually arrived on 7th April and reclaimed his nest. At first 372 was a little reticent but soon got used to LJ2, who wasted no time in nest scraping, building up the nest, and bringing in fish. On Monday 13^th April mid-morning, the unringed male made a brief appearance, flying over the nest and then diving into the lake for a fish. LJ2 flew from the nest and gave chase, before returning and flying high above the Osprey Peninsular, calling and sky dancing. it was a glorious sight.

Normal breeding activity then resumed for the pair, with them re-bonding, nest building and mating. In less than a week the nest had visibly changed, with LJ2 scraping regularly to make space for the eggs. It was a delight to also see the birds rediscovering their favourite pastime of what we've termed 'crow-bashing' - dive bombing crows to remove them from the nest area. 

Both birds have played an active part in bringing in nesting material. LJ2 in particular loves bark, and we watch him regularly grabbing it 'mid-flight' with his talons as he flies past the nearest tree stump. 

Over the next couple of weeks we hope to see 372 lay her eggs, and in the period of incubation we will all wait patiently for the first egg to hatch and announce new brood of chicks to welcome to the Brenig nest. No doubt we will have an influx of intruders as the young two-year-olds return throughout May, prospecting for nest sites and intruding on the nest. 

It's a fantastic start to the season and we wish to thank all those who have been involved in getting the nest camera back up and running. It's so exciting to be able to see and hear the ospreys up-close, and our online watchers will now benefit from being able to distinguish specific calls; for example between fish calls and the alarm calls which indicate disturbances. We can look forward to seeing the eggs arrive, chicks hatch, and the sight of young ospreys growing.....plus enjoy beautiful sunsets over the Brenig nest.