Preparing to fly: Ospreys make it through two heatwaves

Ospreys on a nest platform in the Glaslyn Valley (Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn Wildlife/Friends of the Ospreys)

Summer heat must be making life pretty grim, deadly in some cases, for chicks in nests, especially those without shade. Young House Martins are especially vulnerable as mud nests dry out, and the emergency intervention may be necessary.

Fingers are firmly crossed among vigilant volunteers watching Osprey nests where chicks should fledge this week or next. Colour-ringing of chicks will enable birds to be identified when they return as adults, but weighing and measuring them also enables their sex to be assessed, since females are heavier. From nests in North Wales with public viewing, it should be a productive season, with much flapping in readiness for maiden flights:

• Llyn Brenig: male (9L1) and female (9L2)
• Cors Dyfi: female (6B7), male (6B8) and female (6B9), named Llinau, Ogwen and Elsi
• Pont Croesor: two females and a male
• Glaslyn: female (OT7), male (OT8) and female (OT9)
• Llyn Clywedog: female (9L5) and male (9L6)

Elsewhere, on nest platforms erected by Friends of the Ospreys group, pairs are rearing young in Eryri and on Anglesey, the first ever nest on the island. A male hatched from Glaslyn in 2022 paired with a Rutland 2022 female to rear three chicks in Monmouthshire. Sadly, cold and wet weather in early June caused the death of a brood at a second nest at Llyn Clywedog when the chicks were only 10 days old.

The Osprey team at Llyn Brenig have extra reason to celebrate after being presented with the Rural and Wildlife Crime Award by the North Wales Police Commissioner recently. Dŵr Cymru and North Wales Wildlife Trust accepted the award on behalf of the team.
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The Quail summer continues with up to six near Cemlyn, three at RSPB Cors Ddyga, two at Bagillt, several at Pontgroeslon and single males at Penrhyn Bay, Aberdesach, Gronant, Pensarn and on the southern slope of Yr Wyddfa. At several sites, the disyllabic call of females suggests that breeding attempts in North Wales are possible if conditions remain suitable. Elsewhere, a Black Redstart was unseasonal on Penrhyn Bay promenade and Roseate Terns are regular at Cemlyn lagoon.