The 2026 Glaslyn Osprey Season begins.
Part One – The Glaslyn Nest.
Things got off to a good start in 2026 when Elen returned to the Glaslyn nest on March 20, her earliest return to date. Weather conditions at the end of March were unfavourable for migratory birds such as Ospreys, so we were prepared that there might be some late arrivals this year. Elen soon began to make appearances on the Friends of the Ospreys Pont Croesor nest, as well as the Glaslyn nest. On March 25 Blue 685 (Tweed Valley 2021), landed on the Pont Croesor nest. He is a male Osprey that we have seen previously and breeds at a private nest site in North Wales. He made appearances most days until March 28, so hopefully has now been reunited with his mate.
Sightings of Elen became less frequent after March 29 and we did not record her again until she intruded at the Pont Croesor nest on April 2. There were two other Ospreys above the nest while she was present, one of which was Z2/Aeron.
After the trials of last season, we were delighted when Aran landed on the Glaslyn nest on April 4. He looked fit, healthy and strong and more importantly was back before KC6/Teifi. Our hopes of him being reunited with Elen were short lived, as when she did put in a brief reappearance on the Glaslyn nest that day she was in dispute with Blue 7C1 (Cumbria 2022), who is a granddaughter of Mrs G. The three of them can be seen flying over the Glaslyn nest in our Aran Returns video.
Aran remained around the Glaslyn nest for much of April 5. He was joined for a short while by Blue 019 (Poole Harbour Translocation 2019), who breeds at a private nest in the Glaslyn valley. The following morning 7C1 joined Aran, both bringing in nest material. Aran mainly sticks and 7C1 turf and grasses. She left while Aran was absent from the nest.
During his absence a new Osprey arrived on the Glaslyn nest, KC6/Teifi was back! Although we were pleased to see him, we knew that the two males were likely to recommence the battle for the territory. When Aran returned he was divebombed by KC6/Teifi and Aran took chase. It was KC6/Teifi that returned to the nest that evening though. Kath Keir contacted us the following day to let us know that Aran was back at the location where he spent much of last summer. He was eating a fish, so it was a relief to know that neither male was injured. Although he was only on the Glaslyn nest for a short time, it was wonderful to witness a majestic Aran clutching a fish on the perch once again.
Initially KC6/Teifi displayed some odd behaviour. He defended the nest from all Ospreys, including females. He was not certain that he had won the territory, so viewed every Osprey as a potential challenger. He even chased off a Red Kite!
On April 10 volunteers at Protection reported three Ospreys above the Glaslyn nest, one of which was KC6/Teifi. 432/Eshells (Kielder 2021) was another and she seemed determined to stay on the nest. 7C1 was the third and there were a few talons out moments! A fourth Osprey carrying a fish was also noted and it looked to be an unringed male, that we suspect was Aran.
432/Eshells remained with KC6/Teifi through the weekend and just as things were beginning to look settled the situation at the Glaslyn nest changed again. On April 13 Aran made two appearances over the Glaslyn nest, close enough to be able to recognise him. Mid-afternoon KC6/Teifi delivered a Brown Trout to 432/Eshells, but she appeared to be nervous of something high above the valley prior to his appearance. Elen took that moment to make her first appearance at the Glaslyn nest in just over a week and following an aerial dispute between her and 432/Eshells it was Elen that landed back on the nest.
Elen and KC6/Teifi are now bonding well together. He is providing plenty of fish and they have had several successful matings. It is early days, but we now have hope that we will see chicks once again on the Glaslyn nest.
