August at the Glaslyn has got off to a wet start with the weather. However, the rain has not dampened our spirits, as we are all still overjoyed at the news of our 2006 chick setting up home in Scotland. Meanwhile, back at the Glaslyn, his younger siblings are thriving. Our male chicks, YC and YD are taking after their Dad and have both become successful fishermen. This week has seen them bringing larger fish back to the nest, mainly grey mullet from the Porthmadog Cob Estuary. YE, the youngest female chick, has been a little slow on the uptake. She often arrives at the nest, if one of her brothers returns with a meal, and begs for a share. This is not necessarily a cause for concern - YE was the last to hatch and fledge so it may be nothing more than her taking her time. We hope to see her catching up over the next month as it is crucial for her to be able to fish for herself on migration.
It is not just the chicks that have been keeping busy. Our adult male has been seen building a 'frustration nest'. This is typical behaviour that we see at the end of the season and does not mean of course that he is setting up another nest with the intention of having a second brood!
Here he is carrying sticks back to the secondary nest.
We currently have all five birds in the area on a regular basis. Last season our final sighting of our female bird was on the 8th of August. We will be keeping an eye out for her departure, at some point in the next few weeks and will of course keep you all updated on any developments.