THE FIRST EGG

A significant milestone was reached by the Talybont pair at 19.37 hrs on 24th April – the first egg was laid in the nest. This is believed to be the first egg laid in the Usk Valley for at least 250 years.

Changes in behaviour around the nest by the female were noted yesterday. A few minutes before the egg was seen she had settled onto the nest proper, and with a series of rhythmic grunts indicating the laying process, she rose to show a fresh laid egg. A series of matings over the last eight days since the female’s return to the nest has at least delivered one egg.

Matings have increased in recent days, and even at 20.15 hrs the male returning to the nest after the laying made a further attempt to mate as she laid in the prone position. He soon got the message and flew up to the nest perch, and later the nest-rim, to view the first result of those matings. This 8-day period is speedier than the literature suggests for first mating to first egg lay (10 -14 days) and particularly surprising for what are believed to be a young pair in their full first nesting year.

The expectation now is that another 1 – 2 eggs will be laid, perhaps at two-day intervals.

Nothing is assured in the natural world but UVO hope that breeding will continue with success in 2025. Our Watchers will continue to log every move.