A thoroughly modern male
After a close encounter with an 'intruder' osprey last Tuesday, the Glaslyn female instigated a neighbourhood watch vigil from her nest and was taking no prisoners. She was in a foul mood on Friday, and more aggressive than usual, chasing off anything that came by including a couple of crows and a male peregrine that has a nest in the area. The poor peregrine was just passing, minding his own business, but she shot up off her perch and warned it away.
Meanwhile, the male osprey was taking his fatherly duties seriously and spending some quality time sat on the eggs. He has been doing it more this year than in previous years. Perhaps he has gained more confidence as a father now and feels comfortable incubating. He is also more familiar with the surrounding area so he knows where to go for the best fish, which means hunting trips are more concise and he has more time for doing his share at the nest - a thoroughly modern male!
He has not lost his taste for exploration though and flew off in a different direction to usual on Saturday afternoon. He was heading north west toward Llyn y Adair, and has only been seen heading there once or twice over the years. It was a relatively unfamiliar journey but it paid off and he came back within half an hour with a brown trout clasped in his talons.
It's been a lazy, sunny day today, if a little breezy. As I write, the female is sat on the eggs and the male is perched on the nest tree, above the camera. He must be stretching his legs, as he has been on the eggs more than his mate today. She has been perched in a fir tree to the left of the nest for much of the day - a tree that they pair use quite often for perching and feeding in.
When all the visitors have left and night falls, a whole new world of wildlife comes alive. The 24-hour protection team have been lucky enough to see badgers on their late night patrols. The badgers come scratching across the field at dusk looking for food. They may look cute and cuddly as they snuffle around but have fearsome teeth and claws and would put up a vicious fight if provoked.