9K5 AT 11 WEEKS
9K5 14 Aug 25
On 18th August the fledged Gilestone chick was 11 weeks old – his confidence, stature and flying abilities have developed massively since leaving the nest 4 weeks ago.
As predicted the week started with another ringed ‘intruding’ osprey Blue 3H6 that landed on the nest at 16.21pm on 12th August. 3H6 is a 2023 female raised at Site B, Rutland Water. She appeared to enjoy Gilestone as she was uncontested around the nest and made 3 appearances there over a short period.
Blue 3H6 lands on the nest 12 Aug 25
A good close-up view of the leg tag
Two-year old ospreys will have been touring the country since May as befits their ‘no fixed abode’ status. That was the only confirmed ringed visitor this week although aspects of behaviour by our family indicated on a couple of occasions that a fly-through intruder evaded the camera or Watchers.
9K5, Clogwyn and Syfaddan have been absent from the nest increasingly. However, even though none are on the nest, the towpath Watchers record their whereabouts using visible perches across the valley. Viewing has also been accompanied by monotonous food soliciting calls from Clogwyn and 9K5 as they remain in the vicinity of the nest. Fish deliveries to the nest by the male Syfaddan normally prompt the immediate arrival of one of them. In what might be her last week at Gilestone there has been further evidence that Clogwyn is now catching larger fish for herself and returning to a perch nearby to consume. Fish delivery to the nest continues to be the prerogative of her male partner.
Low flows in the River Usk for the last month has meant that trout have been hard to catch so coarse fish have increased in the diet significantly. Bream, perch and roach/rudd have been identified all of which we believe (with some evidence to back it up) are being brought across from Llangors Lake.
Harvesting activity in fields close to the nest this week has increased too. The age and abilities of the family of three are such that disturbance of this nature in mid-August is not an issue and indeed helps these birds to get habituated to vehicles and their movements. That will stand this pair in good stead for future breeding seasons. It is worth bearing in mind that of all the Welsh monitored osprey nests the Usk Valley location is the only one set into a busy agricultural landscape and therefore scope for learning extends beyond just the birds!
As we experienced in August 2024, a non-breeding year here for this pair, a vacant nest becomes attractive for other species to explore. This week alone visits by near-neighbours stock dove, carrion crow, jackdaw, chaffinch and blue tit have featured as well as great spotted woodpecker, spotted flycatcher and robin. On Sunday, a juvenile buzzard landed on the nest during an exploratory flight; we might expect some antagonism to that one. Also on Sunday a panicked flight of stock doves flew past the nest revealing a chasing adult goshawk.
Juvenile buzzard makes an entrance 17 Aug 25