Another Week in the Life

The chick continues to feed well. Following Syfaddan’s first success on Tuesday, he has continued to share feeding duties daily with Clogwyn. In fact there have been times when both parents have been offering fish simultaneously.

Fish delivery

The chick is developing rapidly and reaching the start of the steepest increase in its growth curve. Its pale down has disappeared replaced by darker colouring, although the white stripe along its spine is still visible, looking like a twig in the nest from above, it is an important part of its camouflage.  It spends much time shuffling around the nest on its haunches and showing an interest in everything and peering out from the nest when it sits upright. When awake and mobile it is visible from both cameras.

Clogwyn and chick

The chick’s camouflage white stripe in clear view

On Tuesday, Clogwyn accidentally rolled one of the unhatched eggs out of the nest cup unnoticed. Although Syfaddan appeared to study it initially, he made no attempt to move it and it was soon disregarded by both adults. Over the coming days it would be covered and uncovered as nest materials were brought in and arranged. Nest building continues to occupy both adults. Eventually the egg became lodged in the growing nest wall and is now no longer visible. Meanwhile, Clogwyn continues to incubate the other egg, seemingly still unaware that it is unviable.

Syfaddan studies the discarded egg

The latter part of the week saw torrential rain and Clogwyn proved a dutiful mother, keeping her chick warm and dry all through the night even when her own plumage looked sodden.

There were osprey visitors to the nest at the weekend, but they were not made welcome! The first was Blue OH2, a two year old male from Glaslyn, son of unringed pair, Aran and Elen. He landed on the nest twice. First being evicted by Clogwyn, and then returning and attempting to steal a fish, but Syfaddan took to the air, flew in fast and chased him off.

Intruder OH2 (middle) lands, with his an eye on a free fish

Less than an hour later Blue 3H6 overflew the nest, with Syfaddan again giving chase. She is a 2 year old from Rutland, previously seen here on 4th June. There was also another fly by from Blue OH2 but he failed to land again.

3H6 (left) flies over the nest as Syfaddan (right) takes off for the chase

Syfaddan and Clogwyn are an excellent defence team and their chick was completely unharmed in Sunday’s kerfuffles. Monday was, by contrast, a peaceful day. No adverse weather, no intruders and as much fish as a 2 week old osprey chick could want.