The RSPB Community

Fingers crossed for a healthy year on The Rock

Vicki Smith — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:49:00 GMT

So as you would know from seeing my (very quick) last post, the peregrines' eggs have hatched! On Monday this week we saw two, possibly three, lots of food brought to the nest site, which is a very reassuring sign of many chicks, also known as eyasses, hiding away in the rock face. If our information is correct and the eggs did hatch one week today we recon we have seven to ten days to wait until those little chicks start fidgeting and venturing to the mouth of their nesting hole, hopefully giving us a sneaky peek at their fluffy white faces. When I left the rock on Wednesday, the peregrines were showing no sign of leaving the chicks unattended, which is normal for the first few days as the chicks still need warmth from their parents and protection in case anything wants to try their chances for a meal. When the eyasses are a little older, their mother will start to leave them alone more often in order to supply enough food for their hungry beaks. An eyasses double in weight during their first six days and by three weeks old we would expect them to be ten times the size they were when they hatched! Another amazing fact about these tiny peregrines is their strategy to keep away unwanted visitors when mum isn't around. Using their tales to support them the eyasses will lean back and extend their legs presenting their incredibly sharp talons; I’d certainly not want to mess with them! Our species list is coming along nicely and we can add Hobby this week. Thanks for checking out the blog and I hope you check us out again next week.

It's not just the Peregrine chicks that are doing well, up on The Rock we have been getting fabulous views of ducklings, goslings and tiny nuthatch heads bobbing their heads out of our resident nest box! It seems Spring has finally begun!

Our species list is coming along nicely and this week we have just one bird to add but it's a good one... Hobby!

Croeso i'r byd cyiwon bach! Welcome to the world opsprey chicks!

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:39:10 GMT

Cyfnod cyffrous wythnos yma wrth inni wylio’r iâr i weld pa bryd byddai’r wy cyntaf yn deor. Mi eisteddodd ar yr wy drwy genllysg trwm a’r peli cenllysg yn bownsio i ffwrdd o’i chefn. Yna nos Lun, daeth y newyddion hyfryd fod yr wy cyntaf wedi deor am 9:40pm. Roedd y ceiliog wedi dod a physgodyn cyn iddi dywyllu fel bod gan yr iâr fwyd i fwydo’r cyw bach. Gwelodd ymwelwyr a ddaeth draw'r bore drannoeth gip o’r cyw yn cael ei fwydo. Roedd hi’n fendigedig gweld hyn.

Ac yna, llawenydd mawr unwaith eto wrth inni ddeall fod yr ail wy wedi deor am 8:15 bore ‘ma! Mae’r cywion i weld yn gryf ac iach.

Bydd mwy o hanes am yr ail gyw i ddod yn fuan...dyma inni newyddion ‘hot-off-the-press’ fel ma nhw’n dweud!!

Mae ymwelwyr ar y safle wedi gweld bilidowcar yn pysgota yn y pwll wythnos yma, ac mae hwyaid Mandarin a Llinosiaid wedi’i gweld y bwydo yn y corsydd ar y safle. Mae cyw Aderyn To wedi deor yn y guddfan...ac yn swnllyd iawn! Mae dail rŵan ar y coed ac mae heidiau o wenoliaid a gwenoliaid y bondo wedi bod yn arddangos dros yr afon a’r caeau cyfagos. Mae’n hyfryd iawn eu gweld ac yn dod a wen i wynebau pawb.

Ymddiheuriadau am safon y llun. Mae'r cyw cyntaf i weld yng nghanol y llun.

Apologies for the grainy picture. You can just about see the first chick in the middle of the image.

Such excitement this week as we watched the Female Osprey closely to see when the first egg would hatch. She sat tight on the eggs all through a hail storm with the hailstones bouncing off her back. Then on Monday night the wonderful news came that the first egg had indeed hatched at 9.40pm. The Male had brought in a fish just before nightfall so that the Female had food with which to feed the chick. It was such a lovely seen.

And this morning, another joyful moment as the second egg hatches at 8:15 this morning! The chicks appear to be strong and healthy.

More information about the second chick to come soon...this is hot off the press news!

Other visitors to the site this week have seen a Cormorant fishing in the pool again and Mandarin Ducks, and Linnets foraging in the reeds on the site. The Sparrow chicks appear to have hatched in the hide again...and have been very noisy! The trees are all beginning to bear foliage and a large flock of Sand Martins and Swallow have been giving a dazzling display over the river and adjacent fields. It’s lovely to watch and they bring smiles to everyone’s faces.

EXCITING STUFF

Vicki Smith — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:34:59 GMT

Sorry I can't be long but just a quick post to say that yesterday the peregrines were spotted taking food into the next! Is our waiting finally over? Well they still seem to be showing incubation behaviour so it's possible that one has hatched and the others are on their way!

False Alarms and New Residents

Vicki Smith — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:08:53 GMT

Hello again!

Let’s start with saying "What a gorgeous bank holiday weekend!" With the blazing sunshine Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the hottest day of the year, so far, following close behind on Tuesday, well that enough with the weather report... What's happening with Mr and Mrs Peregrine this week? I hear you cry.

This week Mr and Mrs Peregrine have spent a lot of time out of view from our telescopes but when they have been around they have given us some amazing sights. On one occasion visitors to the rock were almost fooled into thinking it was a midwinter's day because IT WAS SNOWING... feathers? Yes, when Mr Peregrine returned with his favourite meal, a pigeon, as he plucked away the feathers were sent flying creating what many visitors described as snow. If we skip forward to Tuesday it was almost time to "Call the Midwife" as first thing in the morning a couple of regular faces at the rock and myself witnessed several swap overs for incubation duty with a very short hour. With only a few days until due date we were starting to get a bit jittery at the prospect of hatching but it was a false alarm. When I left the rock yesterday it seemed the eggs had still not hatched as Mrs Peregrine immerged from the nest hole with a very dusty tummy but it’s only a matter of time.

Now it’s time for an update on our species list so far at the rock this year, well in addition to the species spotted in last week’s blog we can add the following to our list:
Bullfinch, Long tailed Tit and Swift... oh and Percy.

On Saturday we were joined by Percy the (very bad) Racing Pigeon, I know pigeons aren't an amazing bird and of course with Mr and Mrs Peregrine around (and soon young mouths to feed) we shouldn't get to attached to poor Percy but I just
can't help myself; after all we mustn't forget which animal was awarded the most Dickens Medals during World War Two!

Thanks to everyone for reading and hope you check us out again next week. I'd also like say thank you to all my volunteers this week and an especially big thanks and fond farewell to Isolda our resident volunteer for the past two weeks. Se'll be leaving us on Saturday and has helped us amazingly during her time here on the rock, Good luck for the future!

The Sea Gull that turned out to be a Hen Harrier

Vicki Smith — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:43:00 GMT

Just over a week ago a family of RSPB members and their young son, with endless enthusiasm for birds, came to visit us at Symonds Yat Rock, aka The Rock. Throughout the day the young lad spoke endlessly about Golden Eagles and how rare they are, this turned out to be a fact that he had heard at The Rock during his last visit three years earlier. Not only that but the gentleman who had given him this fact turned out to be our own volunteer Gavin, who was there at The Rock that day who soon remember the boy and the day he'd given him that information about Golden Eagles.
As we all looked out over the river a bird flew by which both Gavin and myself (shamefully have to admit) we identified as a member of the Gull family and carried on our search for the peregrines, the young boy however was not convinced, he asked Gavin if it really was a Gull which when he gave a second glance looked awfully more like a bird of prey then a gull, and it was then confirmed after peering through his binoculars Gavin called out with amazement "HEN HARRIER!"

A quick catch up for 2013's Peregrines

Vicki Smith — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:12:40 GMT

Hello Everyone!

You'll be glad to hear that the blog, covering the Peregrines at Symonds Yat Rock, is back... YAY! So what’s happened this year so far?

Well it can't have escaped anyone's attention that this "spring" got off to a bone chillingly cold start. Although the freezing temperatures and gale force winds have caused a delay in the arrival of many summer visiting birds, the Symonds Yat Peregrines, who always lay their egg(s) a week or two later than other peregrines, were on time and laid their egg(s) around the first week of April. Unfortunately for us, Mr and Mrs Peregrine have laid their egg(s) in the same nest hole as last year, known as the Raven's Nest, which we cannot see into from the Rock and therefore cannot tell how many eggs they have (hence why we can't say if there is one or more eggs).

We have also seen some amazing activity outside the nest as Mr and Mrs Peregrine have been seen dive bombing a few intruding peregrines as well as an inquisitive buzzard who got just a little too close The Raven's Nest, I hate to magine how much their heads hurt after being hit by a peregrine travelling up to 200mph! Even their diet has proven to be interesting with a few odd treats turning up on the menu including a jackdaw and a fluffy mammal (most likely a bat).

Finally I have compiled a list of birds (as well as other creatures) that has been seen at Symonds Yat Rock so far this year.

Peregrine Falcon,
Hen Harrier,
Sparrow Hawk,
Goshawk,
Buzzard,
Kingfisher,
Jay,
Blue tit,
Coal tit,
Great tit,
Marsh tit,
Nuthatch,
Goldfinch,
Chaffinch,
Dunnock,
Siskin,
Grey Heron,
Song Thrush,
Cormorant,
Canada Goose,
Mute Swan,
Raven,
Jackdaw,
Wood pigeon,
Stock Dove,
Pheasant,
Curlew,
Swallow,
House Martin,
Mallard,
Mandarin ducks,
Goosander,
Tree Creeper,
Hawfinch

Other visitors include Fallow Deer, Bank Vole, Field Mouse and Common Lizard.

We hope to keep on top of the blog this year and try to keep you posted about the Peregrines and their progress this year, so don't forget to check out our blog!

Shw-shw-gwdi-hw! / Shoo-shoo-twit-twoo!

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:38:11 GMT

Blog dwyiethog yw hwn – sgroliwch i lawr ar gyfer y fersiwn Saesneg os gwelwch yn dda

This is a bilingual blog – please scroll down for the English language version.

Mae’r tywydd yn gwella, o’r diwedd, ac mae bywyd yn byrlymu yn y Dyffryn.

Er mawr syndod, cofnododd y Tîm Amddiffyn y glaniodd Dylluan Frech ar y nyth o flaen yr iâr yn ystod shift nos. Ar ôl amser, cafodd yr iâr lond bol ac erlid y dylluan i ffwrdd. Gwelwyd y dylluan wedyn yn hela yn y cae isod. Pwy gafodd eu syfrdanu fwyaf – ysgwn i? Y Gwalch, Y Dylluan neu’r tîm!

Er gwaetha digwyddiadau bach annisgwyl fel hyn, mae’r pâr a’r wyau yn gwneud yn iawn.

Mae’r Cornchwiglod yn bendant yn llawn bywyd ac er nad ydan ni wedi ei weld, rydem ni wedi clywed y Coegylfinir yn y cae y tu cefn i’r safle gwylio. Gwelsom gip ar yr hwyaid Fandarin (neu’r hwyaden Gribog), yn brysur yn bwydo ar ochor arall y bont a death llynges fach o elyrch smart i fwydo yn y pwll ger y guddfan...fel a welwyd yn y llun hyfryd ddoe.

Croeswn fysedd am dywydd braf dros ŵyl y banc. Dewch draw i’n gweld os ydych chi o gwmpas!

*******

The weather seems to be improving, at last, and the valley is resounding with life.

Surprisingly, the Protection Team reported that a Tawny Owl landed on the nest in front of the female during one of the night shifts and after a short time the Female Osprey chased off the intruder. The owl was subsequently seen hunting in the field below the tree. We are yet to determine who was the most amazed – Osprey, Owl or the team!

Despite the occasional unexpected happening, the Osprey pair and their eggs are doing just fine.

The Lapwings are decidedly active and we have heard but not seen a Whimbrel in the field at the back of the viewing site. We’ve seen a glimpse of the Mandarin ducks, busy feeding the other side of the bridge and a flotilla of elegant swan came to feed in the pool by the hide...as we saw in that lovely photo yesterday.

We’re crossing our fingers for more sunshine over the bank holiday. Come to see us if you're in the area!

heddwch y gwanwyn / spring peace

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:19:09 GMT

Llun i'ch ymlacio am weddill y diwrnod...cafodd y llun hyfryd yma ei dynnu gan un o swyddogion y project, Mev Williams. Blog i ddilyn yn fuan.

A photo to chill you out for the rest of the day...this lovely photo was taken by one of our Glalsyn project officers, Mev Williams. Blog to follow soon.

Pwy sy'n ôl efo ni'r tymor hwn?! Who's back with us this season?!

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:04:00 GMT

Blog dwyiethog yw hwn – sgroliwch i lawr ar gyfer y fersiwn Saesneg os gwelwch yn dda

This is a bilingual blog – please scroll down for the English language version.

Er i’r tywydd fod yn newidiol iawn dros y dyddiau dwetha’, mae’r Gweilch i’w gweld yn ymdopi’n syndod o dda. Mae’r gwynt cryf wedi bod yn ysgwyd y goeden fawr eto’r wythnos hon ond mae’r wyau’n cael eu cadw’n ddiogel, sych a chynnes.

Mae sawl gwalch arall wedi ei gweld yn hedfan dros y nyth ond yn cael eu hel o’na gan y ceiliog.

Mae’r cornchwiglog yn parhau i’n syfrdanu ni gyda’u hacrobatics yn yr awyr a mae galw iasol y gylfinir i’w chlywed yn aml ar y safle.

Mae'n hyfryd gweld mwy o adar diddorol o amgylch y safle gan gynnwys Pinc y Mynydd, Tinwen y Garn a Thingoch. Mae’n edrych yn debyg fod Bras y Cyrs yn ôl gyda ni am dymor arall ac yn ymweld â’r man bwydo yn ddyddiol! Croeso'n ôl!

Llun: Ein hymwelydd dyddiol, Bras y Cyrs a dynnwyd gan Tonwy Pope. Diolch eto Tony.

Changeable though the weather has been over the last few days, the Ospreys seem to be taking all in their stride. High winds rocked the tree substantially yet again this week but the eggs were kept safe, dry and warm.

There have been several sightings of other Osprey flying over the nest and being sent on their way by the male.

The Lapwings continues to amaze everyone with their aerial aerobatics and the haunting call of the Curlew is often heard on the site.

It's so interesting to see many other birds around the site this week including Brambling, Wheatear, and Redstarts. It appears that the Reed Bunting is back for another season as it is now a daily visitor to the feeding area! Welcome back!

Photo: Our daily visitor, the Reed Bunting, taken by Tony Pope. Thanks again Tony.

Yn erbyn yr elfennau... / Against the elements...

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:52:48 GMT

Blog dwyiethog yw hwn – sgroliwch i lawr ar gyfer y fersiwn Saesneg os gwelwch yn dda / This is a bilingual blog – please scroll down for the English language version.

Yng nghanol y gwyntoedd cryfion a’r glaw trwm mae’r iâr ‘di bod yn eistedd yn dynn ar y tri wy. Fe fuom ni ar bigau’r drain pan gododd y gwynt hi o bryd i’w gilydd oddi ar y nyth pan oedd hi’n symud o gwmpas, ond ymhen dim roedd hi nôl yn ddiogel yn gwarchod yr wyau gwerthfawr rhag y tywydd gwael. Mae'r ceiliog wedi bod yn weithgar iawn hefyd - yn dod â physgod yn ôl i’r nyth ac yn helpu i gori’r wyau hefyd pan mae’r iâr wedi hedfan ymaith i fwydo.

O’r guddfan, mae gwylio’r Barcud Coch yn cylchu uwchben a’r Cornchwiglod yn esgyn i’r awyr cyn disgyn yn sydyn ‘di bod yn anhygoel.

Efallai bod rhai o ymfudwyr yr haf eisoes ‘di cyrraedd y wlad, ond mae’r gwanwyn yn bendant yn hwyr eleni ac mae rhai o ymfudwyr y gaeaf heb adael yr ardal eto. Mae haid cymysg o bronfreithod y gaeaf – y Socan Eira a’r Coch Dan Adain - wedi eu gweld yn rheolaidd yr wythnos hon yn bwydo ar lan yr afon ger y safle.

Er bod lefel y dŵr yn yr afon ‘di bod yn uchel iawn yn ystod yr wythnos bu cryn dipyn i’w weld yn ei chyffiniau. Mae'r Dyfrgi wedi cael ei weld unwaith eto gerllaw’r bont ac mae’r Glas y Dorlan ‘di bod yn dawel wylio’r dŵr o glwyd ger y bont – daw’r llun trwy garedigrwydd Tony Pope un o'n gwirfoddolwyr rheolaidd ar y safle. Diolch Tony!

Amid high winds and driving rain the Female Osprey is sitting tight on the three eggs. There have been a couple of scares where the wind has lifted her briefly off the nest when she has moved around, but she was soon back ensconced on her nest and protecting the precious eggs from the worst of the elements. The male has been active in bringing back fish and also helping to incubate the eggs when she has flown off to eat.

It has been breathtaking to watch the Lapwing soaring and tumbling across the river from the hide, and the Red Kite circling above.

Some of our summer migrants may already have arrived in the country, but spring is definitely late this year, and a few of our winter migrants have yet to leave the area. A mixed flock of winter thrushes – Fieldfare and Redwing – have been seen regularly this week feeding on the riverbank at the site.

Although the river level is high there has been quite a lot of activity around the area. The Otter has been spotted again by the bridge and the Kingfisher was seen serenely surveying the water from a perch near to the bridge – the photograph is courtesy of Tony Pope one of our regular volunteers. Thanks Tony!

Mae trydydd! We have a third!

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:22:00 GMT

News Flash!!! 7.01pm Friday 12th April, a third egg finally arrived!!

Newyddion!!! 7.01yh dydd gwener, 12 Ebrill, cyrhaeddodd y trydydd wy!!

A dyma ni'r wyau! And here are the eggs!

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:12:49 GMT

Llun wedi'i dynnu neithiwr.
Taken yesterday evening.

Un wy...dau wy...a bydd trydydd?! One egg...two egg...will there be a third?!

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:10:00 GMT

Os nad ydych chi wedi clywed eto, rydym ni’n falch o gael dweud fod yna ddau wy wedi eu dodwy! Fe gyrhaeddodd y cyntaf ar ddydd Sadwrn, 6ed Ebrill am 4:37pm. Daeth ar ail ddoe, 9fed Ebrill and 6:15pm. A fydd trydydd?!

Mae’n rhaid dweud eu bod yn gwneud y cwpwl perffaith! Mae’r ceiliog wedi bod yn brysur yn dod a physgod iddi hi ac wedi bod hefyd yn helpu i ddeor tra eith hi i ffwrdd i fwyta.

Mae’r safle yn llawn arwyddion y gwanwyn. Gwelwyd hwyaden frongoch ar yr afon. Mae’r cornchwiglod yn nythu gerllaw - credwn fod pedwar nyth. Ac rydym wedi clywed a gweld y gylfinir - arwydd da o’r gwanwyn, meddai rhai!

Mae’r gwalch glas wedi’i weld yn hela nepell o’r safle. Ac fe welwyd y carlwm unwaith eto.

Mae corhedyddion y waen a’r titw cynffon hir oll wedi bod yn brysur ac yn diddanu pawb ar y safle. Gwelwyd pibydd y dorlan o flaen y guddfan, ynghyd â siglen fraith a siglen lwyd.

Mae nifer elyrch y gogledd yn amlwg wedi lleihau, felly mae’n debyg eu bod wedi dechrau ar eu taith yn ôl i Wlad yr Iâ i frîdio.

Mae Ger a Mev wedi bod yn hynod brysur dros y dyddiau diwethaf, ac yn gweithio o amgylch y cloc. Maen nhw’n gwneud gwaith hynod galed. Siŵr eu bod yn edrych 'mlaen i fwynhau bath hir, poeth pan gyrhaeddan nhw adref!

Dyw hwn ddim y llun gorau, ond fedrwch bron iawn a gweld yr wy cyntaf oddi dan y gwalch.

If you haven’t heard already, we’re very pleased to announce that two eggs have been laid! The first egg arrived on Saturday 6^th April at 4:37pm. The second egg came on yesterday, Tuesday 9^th April at 6:15pm. Will there be a third?!

Above photo: not the best picture, but you can just about see the first egg underneath the osprey.

They really do make the perfect couple! The male have been busy bringing back fish to the female and he’s also been helping to incubate when she’s off eating.

The site is full of signs of spring! We’ve seen the red-breasted merganser on the river. Lapwings are nesting near by - we think there are four nests. And we’ve heard and seen the curlews – a definite sign of spring, some might say!

Sparrow hawk was spotted hunting not far from the site. And we saw a glimpse of the stoat again.

Meadow pipits and long-tailed tits are very busy amusing everyone around the site. We’ve seen a common sand-piper in front of the hide, as well as pied wagtail and grey wagtail.

We have noticed fewer whooper swans around. They may have started on their long journey back to Iceland to breed.

Ger and Mev have been extremely busy over the last few days, working around the clock. They’re doing a fantastic job. I’m sure they’ll look forward to enjoying a long, hot bath when they go home!

Un funud, roedd dau...a'r nesaf, roedd pump! One minute, there were two...the next, there were five!

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:03:00 GMT

Efallai mai hon oedd Pasg oeraf ers degawdau ond ni rwystrodd y tywydd rhag i’r safle brofi cryn dipyn o gynnwrf. Mae pâr y Glaslyn wedi bod yn brysur yn nythu a gwelwyd gweilch eraill yn aml yn y cyffiniau. Ar un tro, roedd pump gweilch i’w gweld o amgylch y nyth - am olygfa syfrdanol! Mae tipyn ohonyn nhw wedi’u gweld yn pysgota yn ardal Porthmadog dros y dyddiau diwethaf.

Hefyd, mae’n dda iawn clywed fod rhai o Weilch Keilder wedi’u hadnabod fel cywion Glaslyn, gan gynnwys y cyw cyntaf a fagodd blu o Laslyn. Sbardunodd y newyddion yma inni greu map coeden teulu ein gweilch ni. Mae mwy o wybodaeth am hyn i’w gael yn y blog yma: http://kielderospreys.wordpress.com/

O flaen y guddfan, mae adar y dŵr wedi bod yn brysur ar yr afon, yn arbennig gŵydd, alarch, hwyaden ddanheddog, hwyaden frongoch a chafwyd cipolwg sydyn o’r hwyaden wyllt a’r hwyaden Fandarin.

Gwelwyd y cudyll coch yn hela uwchben cae’r safle wylio a mae cryn dipyn o olygfeydd wedi bod o’r barcud yn arddangos a hela dros y caeau. Ymwelodd ceiliog y boda tinwen â ni hefyd.

Bu cynnwrf ymysg yr ymwelwyr pan welwyd pi fach am y tro cyntaf eleni, ond unwaith ddaeth y camerâu allan, fe ddiflannodd. Cawsom hefyd ymweliad sydyn gan y carlwm.

Gobeithiwn roi gwybod ichi am ein wy cyntaf tuag at ddiwedd yr wythnos. Rydym yn gado i ddod â’r newyddion i chi yn syth bin.

Llun: Ceiliog Glaslyn yn cael ei ymosod gan wylan wrth bysgota ger y Cob ym Mhorthmadog, diolch i Trevor Williams ar 30^ain Mawrth.

Image: Glaslyn Male being mobbed by a gull whilst fishing near the Cob in Porthmadog, courtesy of Trevor Williams on 30^th March.

It might have been the coldest Easter for decades but the weather did not deter the site from experiencing few excitements. The Glaslyn pair has been busy with the nest and many other sightings of ospreys in the vicinity. At one point, five ospreys were seen around the nest – what an amazing scene! Few have been spotted fishing in the Porthmadog area during the past few days.

It is good to hear the news that some of the Keilder Osprey have been identified as Glaslyn chicks from the early years, including the first chick to fledge from Glaslyn. The news has sparked us to create a family tree map of our ospreys.

Read more about this in this blog: http://kielderospreys.wordpress.com/

The river in front of the hide has been very busy with all sorts of waterfowl in particular the geese, swan, goosander and merganser with fleeting glimpses of the mallard and mandarin duck.

The kestrel was seen hunting above the viewing site field and there have been many sightings of the red kite displaying and hunting over the fields. We have had a return visit from the male hen harrier too.

Our first sighting of a chiffchaff in the bushes adjacent to the hide sparked interest but as soon as the cameras came out it disappeared! We have even had a brief visit along the path by the stoat.

We hope to be able to report our first egg towards the end of the week. We promise to give you the news first hand!

Mae ein Gweilch yn ol ...am y degfed blwyddyn! Our Ospreys are back...for the 10th year!

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:36:39 GMT

Ymhlith y gwyntoedd cryfion a’r storm eira, dychwelodd Gweilch y Glaslyn yn ôl i’w nyth am y degfed blwyddyn. Gwelwyd yr iâr yn gyntaf am 7:50am yn dod â deunydd gwely gyda hi a dychwelodd y ceiliog gyda physgodyn fel anrheg am 9:50am. Ers hynny, mae nhw wedi bod yn brysur yn bondio a pharatoi’r nyth. Mae’n hyfryd eu gweld yn ôl yn edrych mor dda a iach.

Dychwelon nhw’n ôl fymryn yn hwyrach na’r llynedd; mae’n debyg bod y tywydd drwg wedi’u dal ‘nôl. Roedd y tywydd adeg yma y llynedd yn werth-chweil. Roedd hi’n gynnes braf, os y cofiwch chi! A mi dyfodd y cywion yn sydyn a chryf oherwydd iddyn nhw gael dechrau da. Mae’r gweilch yn ymladd yn erbyn yr elfennau y flwyddyn yma; ond mae nhw’n edrych yn gryf a iach, frelly rydym yn obeithiol eto’r flwyddyn hon.

Hefyd ar y Sul, gwelwyd y dyfrgi ger yr afon o flaen y guddfan, a phâr o hwyiaid Mandarin yn bwydo ochr arall i’r lan cyn hedfan i fyny’r afon. Ar y dydd Sadwrn, gwelwyd Boda Tinwyn yn hela yn y cae cyfagos a’r iâr i’w gweld yn nes fyny’r dyffryn echddoe.

A dweud y gwir, roedd dydd Llun hefyd yn ddiwrnod cyffrous, gan y bu i dryddydd gwalch gael ei erlid gan ceiliog Glaslyn! Fe welwyd y gwlach hwnnw yn nes ymlaen yn y dydd yn hedfan dros y dyffryn. Efallai y gwneith o benderfynnu i aros a defnyddio un o’r platfformau cyfagos!

Mae’n hyfryd i fod yn ôl yma, ac os ydych chi’n cynllunio ymwled â ni yn ystod y dyddiau nesa’, cofiwch wisgo eich thermals a het wlân gynnes!

Dyma nhw'n stlo nôl i'w nyth, am y degfed blwyddyn.

Amid the high wind and snowstorms, the Glaslyn Ospreys returned to the nest for the 10^th year. The female was first seen at 7.50am bringing in bedding and the male returned bearing a gift of a fish at 9.50am. Since then, they have been busy bonding and preparing the nest. It’s wonderful to see them back, looking so well and healthy.

They are slightly later than last year; it seems that the bad weather had delayed them. This time last year, the weather was fantastic. It was very warm, remember?! And the chicks grew fast and strong because they had a great start. The ospreys are fighting against the elements this year; but they look strong and healthy, so we’re hopeful yet again this year.

Also on Sunday, the otter was seen again in the river in front of the hide, and a pair of mandarin duck feeding on the opposite bank before taking off and heading up river. On Saturday, a male Hen Harrier was seen hunting in the adjacent field and the female further up the valley on Monday.

In fact, Monday, was yet another exciting day, as a third Osprey was chased off by the Glaslyn male and was later seen heading further over the valley. Perhaps it will decide to stay and use one of the adjacent platforms!

It’s great to back, and if you’re planning to visit us this week, make sure you have your thermals and a thick woolly hat!!

Image above: here they are, settling in to their nest, for the 10th year.

Cyw yn ol i'r nyth / Chick back at the nest

Geraint Williams — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:53:00 GMT

Blog dwyiethog yw hwn, sgroliwch lawr ar gyfer y fersiwn Saesneg / This is a bilingual blog. Please scroll down for the English language version.

26ain Awst 2012

Wedi dyddiau o dywydd gwlyb, gwyntog ac, ar adegau, stormus, cafwyd syrpreis pan wnaeth y cyw roeddem ni’n meddwl oedd wedi ymadael â’r ardal ymddangos ar y nyth unwaith eto. Cafodd ei erlid i ffwrdd gan un o'r cywion eraill, ond dychwelodd ychydig yn ddiweddarach i gael ei fwydo gan y ceiliog. Roedd o’n brysur iawn yma ar brynhawn Sadwrn pan ddaliwyd dim llai na phedwar pysgodyn o fewn y cyfnod o ddwy awr!

Fe welwyd y bod y gwerni unwaith eto’r wythnos hon yn hedfan dros y cae, hwyliodd teulu’r elyrch â chywion mawr heibio ar yr afon ar sawl achlysur, ymddangsodd dryw bach yn ein gardd bywyd gwyllt sydd wedi’i ail-wampio, ac roedd nifer fawr o weision y neidr yn gwibio o amgylch y ganolfan.

Uchafbwynt yr Wythnos! - y dyfrgi yn dod i wyneb y dŵr yn union o flaen y guddfan er mawr foddhad i’r staff ac ymwelwyr oedd yn digwydd bod yn y ‘man iawn ar yr adeg iawn'!

Isod: Llun o cyw modrwy rhif 80 a ddaeth yn ol ar ol 10 diwrnod o fod i ffwrdd!

Above: the chick with the ring blue 80 has returned after a gap of 10 days!

26th August 2012

After a very wet and windy, and at times stormy few days there was a surprise in that the chick we thought had left the area appeared back on the nest. It was chased off by one of the other chicks but returned to be fed by the adult male a short while later. There was a lot of activity on Saturday afternoon when there were no less than four fish brought in within the space of two hours!

The marsh harrier was again seen over the field this week. Other sightings have been of the swan family with the now very large cygnets gliding gracefully past the hide on several occasions, a wren seen in the now refurbished Wildlife garden and lots of dragonflies and iridescent Hawkers flitting around the centre.

Highlight of the Week! – The Otter surfaced directly in front of the hide much to the delight of the staff and visitors who happened to be ‘in the right place at the right time’!

Penwythnos wlyb, gwych, Gymreig! A great, wet, Welsh weekend!

Geraint Williams — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:28:00 GMT

19/8/12

Diolch i bawb a’n cefnogodd dros y penwythnos. Er i’r tywydd achosi hafoc, roedd yn benwythnos gret. Erbyn y dydd Sadwrn, roedd y glaw aruthrol a gawson ni ddydd Gwener wedi rhedeg lawr y mynyddoedd ac achosi llifygydd yn y cae. Roedd hyd yn oed pyllau i mewn yn y pebyll! Ond roedd dydd Sul yn sychach ac yn wych! Daeth yr MG’s yn eu dwsinnau a galwodd dros 600 o bobl heibio.

Roedd pawb yn gwirionni fod y gweilch yn hedfan heibio dro ar ôl tro ar eu ffordd i Borthmadog i bysgota ac ar y dydd Sul, fe basiodd yr iâr gyda physgodyn! Mae’r gweilch wedi bod o amglych y nyth yn amlwg yn ymbaratoi ar gyfer y daith bell sydd o’i blaenau.

Gwelson ni hefyd olygfeydd rhyfeddol o’r bwncathod yn arddangos eu hunain gan chwyrlio yn yr awyr uwchben y maes parcio dros y penwythnos. Ond, uchafbwynt y penwythnos oedd gweld, am yr eilwaith, (gyda’r tro cyntaf y ddydd Mercher dwethaf) Boda Tinwyn - hedfannodd dros y safle, yn weddol isel, ac i mewn i’r cae cyfagos.

Rydym bellach wedi bod yn clywed y gylfinir yn glaw sawl tro ac wedi gweld cip yn y pellter. Mae’n gret gweld yr aderyn gwych yma yn Glaslyn.

19/8/12

Thank you everyone who supported us over the weekend. Despite the weather causing havoc, it was a great weekend. The terrible rainfall on Friday ran down the mountains over night and by Saturday, flooded the field. We even had a pool inside the marquees! However, Sunday was much drier. Sunday was fabulous! The MG’s were there in their dozens and well over 600 people came along.

To the excitement of everyone who had attended, the remaining two chicks were seen over the weekend en-route to Porthmadog hunting several times and the female even passed directly over the site with a fish on Sunday. The Ospreys have been much in evidence in and around the nest area and are obviously preparing for their long journey.

There was also a lovely display by several buzzards dancing and tumbling in the sky above the car park over the weekend. However, the highlight of the weekend was the second sighting (the first being on Wednesday) of a male Marsh Harrier that flew quite low over the site and into the adjacent field.

The haunting call of the Curlew has been heard on several occasions and we have even glimpsed one in the distance. It’s great to see this fantastic bird at Glaslyn.

One chick down...

Geraint Williams — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:07:35 GMT

Hello everyone, just a quick update for you this week - we haven't seen Blue 80, the eldest since Friday. It might be that he's already started on his long journey to Africa. The other four are still seen around the nest, but it won't be for long. Remember to come to the Community Weekend this coming weekend and let us all cross our fingers for dry weather!

Last chance to see the Glaslyn Ospreys!!

Geraint Williams — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:42:37 GMT

The Glaslyn osprey Community Weekend (over the 18 and 19 August) could be your last chance to see the Glaslyn osprey family together - before they head back to their wintering grounds in West Africa.

After returning for another season in March the osprey pair busily prepared their nest for their forthcoming family, this year the pair were again proud parents to three chicks, we believe the chicks are two males and one female.

The annual and free Community Weekend on 18 and 19 August is a great chance for locals and tourists to get together and learn more about the ospreys. The weekend will be jam packed with things to do for the whole family, from building your own nest box, dissecting owl pellets to treasure hunts and fighting knights. Everyone is welcome from 10am until 5pm. For more info go to www.rspb.org.uk/wales

Y cywion yn dangos eu hunain! The chicks are showing off!

Geraint Williams — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 10:40:36 GMT

29 Gorffennaf 2012

Mae’r golygfeydd o’r Gweilch yn hedfan wythnos diwetha’ ‘ma wedi bod yn anhygoel - ma’ nhw i’w gweld yn dangos eu hunain yn hedfan uwch ben y ganolfan ymwelwyr! Mae’n ymddangos fod un o’r cywion yn giamstar ar y pysgota erbyn hyn gan inni sylwi ar un o’r Gweilch yn pysgota tra roedd y ceiliog a’r iâr ger y nyth. Mae’r iâr i’w gweld yn pysgota ei hun yn amlach rwan hefyd, yn amlwg yn paratoi ar gyfer y daith hir adref i’r Affrig.

Mae’r ifanc yn hefyd defnyddio coed eraill, ymhellach o’r nyth, i glwydo i fwyta pysgod erbyn hyn.

Caswom newyddion gwych o’r Alban pan welwyd un o’n cywion ni o’r flwyddyn 2009 gyda modrwy wen a’r rhif 91 arni. Fe’i gwelodd mewn nyth yn Loch of the Lowes a llwyddwyd i dynnu llun. (gweler y llun isod)

Hefyd yn y Glalsyn, mae crëyr glas ifanc yn ceisio’i lwc ar lan yr afon a mae grŵp o farcutiaid a bwncathod wedi bod yn chwilio am sbarion ar gae oedd newydd ei dorri gan y ffarmwr lleol.

29th July 2012

There have been some excellent sightings of the Osprey flying overhead this week and it seems that they are circling the visitor centre to show off! It looks very much like one of the chicks may be fishing for itself, as there was an occasion when an Osprey was seen overhead and at the same time both adults were seen in the vicinity of the nest. The female is also quite active now fishing for herself obviously preparing for the long journey back to Africa.

The youngsters are also using other trees to perch to eat the fish further from the nest.

There was exciting news from Scotland when it was reported that one of our chicks from 2009 with a white ring bearing the number 91. It was photographed on a nest at Loch of the Lowes. (see above photo)

Other sightings have been of a young heron trying its luck on the river bank and a group of Kite and Buzzard hunting and scavenging after the farmer had been cutting the field.

O na byddai’n haf o hyd... / Summers’ here!

Geraint Williams — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:46:00 GMT

25 Gorffennaf 2012

Gyda’r tywydd wedi gwella rhywfaint dros y ddyddiau diwethaf, mae bywyd gwyllt wedi dod allan i chwarae unwaith eto!

Mae cywion y gweilch i’w gweld yn hedfan uwchben y nyth...tydyn nhw ddim yn pysgota eu hunain eto ond yn gwneud yn fawr o’r tywydd braf ac yn gwella’u hedfan. Gwelsom ni’r ceiliog a un o’r cywion yn hedfan uwchben y cae cyfagos ddoe - doedd y cyw ddim am fentro’n rhy bell o’r nyth ond bellach yn giamstar ar yr hedfan!

Hefyd yn mwynhau’r haul ddoe - hebog dramor, boncath a barcud coch. Fe welson ni wenci a llwyth o bysgod yn neidio yn yr afon. Ar un adeg roedd tua pymtheg o wenoliaid y bondo yn bwydo ar y gwybed mân a roedd mursennod allan – yn eu mysg y prydferth Beautiful Demoiselle, a’i liwiau hardd, metalig yn disgleirio yn yr haul.

Diwrnod o haf cynnes, tawel a natur ar ei orau. Gobeithio’n fawr y cawn ni fwy o ddyddau fel hyn, yn enwedig rwan bo’r ysglion wedi cau! Ac os rydych hi’n cael trafferth meddwl am bethau i’w gwneud gyda’r plant dros yr wythnosau nesaf, cofiwch bod croeso mawr ichi gyd yma.

25 July 2012

We’ve had better weather over the last couple of days, and wildlife are certainly making the most of it!

The osprey chicks have been seen flying around the nest...they’re not fishing yet but they’re certainly making the most of the sunshine and improving their flight. We saw the male and one of the chicks flying above the adjacent field yesterday – the chick wasn’t too keen on flying too far from the nest, but is venturing more and more.

Also enjoying the sunshine yesterday - a peregrine, buzzard and a red kite. We saw a weasel and the fish were jumping in the river. At one point, there were about fifteen house martins feeding on midges and the stunning damselflies were out – amongst them the Beautiful Demoiselle, with its gorgeous, metallic colours dazzling in the sunlight.

A very warm, peaceful day and nature at its summer’s best. Let us hope for some more days like these, especially now the schools have closed! And if you’re struggling to find something to do with the children over the next few weeks, remember there’s a warm welcome here for everyone.

RSPB Cymru withdraws from the Glaslyn Osprey Project near Porthmadog

Geraint Williams — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:06:31 GMT

RSPB Cymru announces today (Wednesday 18 July) its intention to withdraw from managing the Date with Nature Glaslyn Osprey Project near Porthmadog. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/wales

Ma' hi'n brysur yn y nyth! It's all happening in the nest!

Geraint Williams — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:15:00 GMT

16 Gorffennaf 2012

Rydym wedi profi golygfeydd rhyfeddol o’r ifanc yn ymarfer eu sgiliau hedfan dros ac o gwmpas y nyth dros y dyddiau diwethaf. Mae’r ceiliog wedi bod yn dal pysgod mwy na’r arfer a mae’r cywion wedi bod yn ceisio’u gore glas i ddysgu sut i ymdopi gyda’r pysgod hyn – mae dal gafael ar bysgodyn bywiog yn llawer anoddach na mae’n edrych!

Mae’r bioden fanteisgar wedi bod yn ceisio’i gorau i fod yn rhan o’r sioe hefyd ac wedi bod yn ddigywilydd iawn yn hercian o amgylch y nyth a phigo tameidiau bwyd tra roedd y gweilch yn hedfan. Ceisiodd hyd yn oed gymryd siawns tra roedd y cywion yn bwydo, ond roedd y iâr yn gwarchod a gwneud yn siwr nad oedden nhw’n mynd yn rhy agos. Roedd wiwer hefyd yn rhoi cymorth i lanhau’r nyth!

Yn agos i’r cuddfan, mae’r gwalch glas wedi cael ei weld yn hela yn y cae a mae teulu’r elyrch wedi bod yn galw heibio’n rheolaidd. Mae cornchwiglen hyfryd wedi’i weld yn rheolaidd yn y cae cyfagos hefyd.

16th July 2012

There have been some very interesting sights of the youngsters practicing their flying skills above and around the nest this week. The male has been bringing in larger and more active fish and the chicks have been learning how to deal with them - keeping hold of a flapping fish is harder than it looks!

The opportunistic magpie have been trying to get in on the act too and have been very cheeky hopping about the nest and picking up the scraps when the Osprey are flying, even chancing it when the Osprey chicks are feeding, but the female stood guard and made sure that they did not get too close. Also helping to clean up the nest was a squirrel!

Nearer the hide, the sparrow hawk has been seen hunting in the field and the Swan family have been paying regular visits. A lovely lapwing has also been seen regularly in the adjacent field.

Family life is busy at Glaslyn / Bywyd teuluol yn brysur yng Nglaslyn

Geraint Williams — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:28:53 GMT

Mae hwn yn flog dwyieithog. Sgroliwch i lawr i weld y fersiwn Saesneg / This is a bilingual blog. Please scroll down for the English language version.

8 Gorffennaf, 2012

Mae pob un o'r cywion bellach wedi hedfan y nyth. Fe hedfanodd y tryddydd cyw am y tro cyntaf ychydig ar ôl amser cinio ddydd Sadwrn diwethaf. Mae'r tywydd wedi bod yn gyfnewidiol iawn yma, yn heulwen braf un funud, yna glaw trwm y funud nesaf!! Fodd bynnag, mae'r adar ifainc yn ymddangos fel pe bai nhw’n ymdopi ag e’n iawn ac yn tyfu yn fwy a mwy anturus. Ar un adeg, roedd y cyw ieuengaf dal i fod ychydig yn ansicr ac yn cadw yn agos at y nyth. Roedd y rhieni yn eistedd ar goed cyfagos tro bod y ddau gyw arall yn esgyn i’r awyr ac yn chwarae yn uchel iawn uwchben y nyth. Roedd ein hymwelwyr wedi’u cyffroi yn lan ac reodd e’n anodd iddynt ddewis pa un o’r adar i’w gwylio!

Mae ‘na niferoedd mawr o linosiaid gwyrdd, ji-bincs ac adar y to wedi bod yn ymweld â'r bwydwyr ger yr afon gyda’u cywion, ac mae sawl teulu o adar y to ‘di bod yn mwynhau bath lludw ym y maes parcio.

Mae teulu’r elyrch wedi bod yn bwydo o flaen y guddfan yr wythnos hon a chafwyd nifer o olygfeydd hyfryd o hwyaid brongoch gerllaw hefyd.

8th July 2012

All the chicks have now fledged, the third taking it’s maiden flight just after lunch on Saturday. The weather has been erratic as one moment we have glorious sunshine then torrential rain! However, the youngsters seem to be taking it in their stride and becoming more and more adventurous. There was one moment when the youngest of the osprey chicks was still a little unsure and keeping close to the nest. The parents were on adjacent trees and the other two young birds were soaring and playing very high above the nest. Our excited visitors did not know which birds to watch!

There have been a large number of greenfinch, chaffinch and sparrow with their chicks visiting the feeders by the river and several families of house sparrow having dust baths in the car park.

The swan family have again been feeding alongside the hide this week and there have been good sightings of the red-breasted merganser too.

Cywion Glaslyn ar fin gadael y nyth / Glaslyn chicks almost ready to leave the nest

Geraint Williams — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:41:43 GMT

Blog dwyiethog yw hwn – sgroliwch i lawr ar gyfer y fersiwn Saesneg os gwelwch yn dda / This is a bilingual blog – please scroll down for the English language version.

Gorffennaf 1af, 2012

Mae’r tri chyw yn bwydo’u hunain bellach, gyda’r iâr ‘mond yn eu goruchwylio yn hytrach na thorri eu bwyd yn ddarnau. Mae hi ‘di bod yn treulio cryn dipyn o’i hamser sbâr yn clwydo ar bostyn y camera. Mae’r cywion wedi bod ati unwaith eto’r wythnos yma yn fflapio’u hadenydd – yn enwedig rhif 80 sydd wedi peri i ni fod ar bigau’r drain droeon. Mae’r gwynt ‘di bod yn reit gryf yma ac roeddem ni’n poeni y bysa hi’n cael ei chwythu allan o’r nyth cyn pryd.

Yn ystod storm o fellt a tharanau ar ddydd Iau fe ddaru’r cywion swatio efo’u gilydd ar y nyth tra bod yr iâr yn cymryd lloches mewn coeden cyfagos. Ond, roedd hi o bryd i'w gilydd yn hedfan heibio y nyth i sicrhau eu bod nhw’n iawn. Hedfanodd gwalch arall yn rhy agos at y nyth ar fore dydd Gwener ond cafodd ei erlid i ffwrdd yn gyflym gan yr iâr.

Llun o'r fideo o'r tri chyw mawr yn y nyth / An image from the video of the three very large chicks

July 1^st, 2012

All three chicks are now feeding for themselves on the nest with the adult female mostly supervising rather than tearing up their food for them. She’s been spending a lot of her new found spare time perched above on the camera post. The chicks have again been doing a lot of wing flapping this week – particularly from 80 who has had us on the edge of our seats as the wind here has been quite strong, and we hoped it would not blow the young bird out of the nest prematurely.

During a thunderstorm on Thursday the chicks huddled together on the nest whilst the female took shelter in a nearby tree, occasionally flying past the nest as if to check that they were all right. Another Osprey flew too close to the nest on Friday morning but was quickly chased off by the female.