News from the Nest and Viewpoint

Whole family on intruder alert

This last week has seen osprey intruders in the area on more days than not. However, none have managed to land on the nest.  The behaviour of the resident family gives early warning of anything they see flying anywhere near the nest, often well before the adults begin alarm calling. Even the chick is inquisitive and watchful when other birds are close.

A bit too far and too fast - the intruder’s blue ring cannot be read. 26 June 2025

On one occasion there were two separate intruders in fairly quick succession, both visible on camera but neither identifiable. The second of these was wearing a blue darvic ring on its right leg, indicating that it was most likely an English or Welsh ringed osprey. It came tantalisingly close but at speed and as painstakingly as the footage was replayed and reviewed, the ring number could not be read.

The chick has continued to grow in body mass and continues to be fed by both its parents, with Syfaddan burning huge amounts of energy in order to provide his family with enough food, particularly on the hottest days. He has been catching six or seven fish per day, though not all of these are particularly large. Occasionally the chick will have a peck at fish remains on the nest, but it’s difficult to tear it apart without the ability to hold it yet. However, on Tuesday, whilst alone on the nest for a short while, there were several attempts at self feeding. Eventually the chick was rewarded with one really good sized mouthful, but the effort involved in acquiring it was exhausting and the chick no sooner swallowed it than flopped down on the spot to sleep.

Self feeding attempt. At last - a mouthful. 24 June 2025

The physical appearance of the chick has been changing daily too. It’s juvenile plumage now providing it with much needed protection, both in terms of insulation and camouflage. Each feather has a delicate pale fringe to it which, when viewed from above, makes it hard to distinguish from the nest. Even the primary and secondary wing feathers are growing now, in readiness for flight in a few short weeks time. 

Chick shows the early growth of its primary feathers 28 June 2025

Mobility continues to improve with new skills developing. From being able to stand for just a couple of seconds at a time last week, the chick can now stand for longer and on Sunday managed to take quite a few, albeit unsteady, steps while upright on its feet. Those feet, which had looked so huge, now suddenly appearing much more in proportion to the rest of its body once standing upright on them.

The chick standing on its own two feet 29 June 2025

Much to the delight of visitors on the towpath, the chick is visible through binoculars and telescopes when it is upright. It can now see the world beyond the confines of the nest and spends much time observing its new and expanded world.

The chick views the world outside the nest 29 June 2025

As part of UVO’s continued commitment to its volunteers and to the public, in 2025 all trained watchers have been given the opportunity of some specialised, one-to-one training. In addition to their weekly camera shifts they can opt to join the team at the towpath viewpoint. The training assists and equips them to track and record the movement and behaviours of the Gilestone ospreys when off the nest, in addition to any visiting ospreys in the area. The information is gathered, recorded and amalgamated with the camera observations and provides a much better overall picture than cameras alone could do. 

1st Llangynidr Cubs and Scouts enjoy learning about ospreys on a pre-arranged visit to the towpath viewpoint 20 June 2025

In addition to their observations, the team engage with the public; answering their questions and assisting them to use the UVO telescopes for a better view. Team members are now easily identifiable by their UVO jackets. Do drop by and say hello if you see them!

UVO Trained Watchers at the towpath are now recognisable

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Family Life at 3 Weeks