Llyn Brenig ospreys ‘unlikely’ to breed there this year after nest cut down by chainsaw

The ospreys at Llyn Brenig are unlikely to breed there this year after their nest was cut down by a chainsaw, the team that looks after them have said.

The nest was cut down last month a few hours after the female osprey had laid her first egg. CCTV cameras recorded the moment the platform was cut down and North Wales Police branded it a “disgusting act”.

There had been hopes however that the ospreys would return to Llyn Brenig to breed. A decoy egg had been placed on the new nest in order to attempt to entice them back.

However, the Brenig Osprey Project, a partnership with Welsh Water and North Wales Wildlife Trust, said that now seemed unlikely.

“It is clear that they are still in the local area – they continue to be seen visiting Llyn Brenig and even the various nests and perches available to them here – but the general consensus now is that they are unlikely to breed at Llyn Brenig this year,” they said.

“Whilst this is obviously not what we had hoped for, the birds’ wellbeing is ultimately far more important than how/whether they choose to use our site, and we’ll be moving ahead to plan for 2022 as soon as we’re able to – watch this space for updates!”

‘Break’

They added that they hoped that people would still visit this summer despite the ospreys being “less visible” than they had hoped.

“The birds will still be spottable (just a bit more mobile!); you can still visit the osprey exhibition; we’re hoping to have ‘goose cam’ up and running as soon as we can restore some fried circuitry (thanks, lighting storm …).

“Wildlife Trust staff will continue to be on site for several days a week to chat through all things osprey and more besides; and Welsh Water’s Visitor Centre and café are really looking forward to welcoming back guests after such a long, enforced break.

“There’s still plenty of wildlife to see and things to do, and we’d love to see and talk to you.”

Two weeks ago Rob Taylor, rural crime team manager for North Wales Police, said the force was “pulling the stops out to try and catch the person or persons responsible for this”.

“The whole team are absolutely devastated by it and I’m sure the whole community are as well,” he added. “Believe me, they will receive the full force of the law.”