Another female osprey has been making regular visits around the Glaslyn site. She is distinctive because one of her primary feathers on her right wing is missing. She's probably going through a moult at the moment, which would explain the missing feather. Birds of prey do moult once a year, and usually feather by feather, so that it doesn't affect their ability to fly.
Far from being sent off with a flea in her ear, the relationship between the Glaslyn pair and this new missy, seems quite amicable. Almost chummy in fact. A few days ago the Glalsyn male and the new girl were spotted flying off southwards together over Llyn Mair (that's Lake Mary in English). What will his missus think?!
The three eggs - a fourth never emerged despite all the frantic last minute mating - are being incubated nicely in the nest. Time is flying by. We are almost into May already, and it's just under 3 weeks until we expect the first egg to hatch.
Meanwhile, down on the ground, naturalist and broadcaster Iolo Williams spent the day here yesterday filming for a new series. He has been a great supporter of the osprey site and it's always good to have him around and chatting with the visitors. More than 5000 people have already visited us so far this season.
For the first time this year, we have residential volunteers working with us at the osprey site. We have a caravan on the Aberdunant caravan park where volunteers stay for 1 or 2 weeks at a time and have had some great helpers already. We're currently being assisted by Anne and Margaret who have got stuck in helping visitors and giving us a hand at the protection site - thanks girls! The residential volunteering scheme is fully booked up for this year, but if you would like to find out more about how to book for next year, or peruse the other residential schemes available then visit www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering