Now that both ospreys are back, they are taking the time to do a little spring cleaning. Once the season was over last September, a brave RSPB Cymru bod was sent high into the tree on a mission to strengthen the nest and remove all the clutter of twigs and moss that had built up there over the breeding season - as you can imagine, it was pretty smelly and full in there. Now the birds are determined on building it up again - the male has been bringing back moss and the female has been adding it to the inside of the nest and making it all nice and comfortable. She will need to be comfortable because once the eggs arrive she will spend all her time in there incubating them.
The male has been bringing back plenty of fish today - all trout. The pair have also found the time to mate enthusiastically. Last year the first egg was laid twelve days after the birds were first seen to mate. If that happens this year then we really will have Easter eggs, as they will be laid over the Easter weekend - fingers crossed!
During the day the ospreys have fended off the attentions of a couple of cheeky crows who came a little too close to the nest - interested in the fish and all the mating no doubt.
Here on the ground we have our aprons on and feather dusters out and are tackling some spring cleaning of our own as we dust off the visitor centre and viewing hide ready to welcome the first visitors of the season. From tomorrow, we will be open from 10am until 6pm every day until early September. There are telescopes and binoculars in the hide, plus you can see all the close-up action in the visitor centre where live images from the nest-cam will be showing. Looking forward to seeing you there!