What a relief! After anxiously waiting with baited breath, all 12 ospreys on the six nests across Wales have now safely returned, including Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust's pair at Dyfi and the birds at Glaslyn and Clywedog.

Here at Brenig we welcomed back LJ2 on 6 April, who is the same male who was here last year. He returned before LM6, the female and his partner of last year. We also made sure everything was ready for her return and observed as the male defended their new nest against any bird that dared to land on it, including a vicious attack on a greylag goose (she hasn’t returned since). The male would be seen perching on top of the camera platform above the nest from which he would launch his attack on any bird that showed an interest in his nest.

The Brenig female osprey returned four days later on 10 April to a wonderful welcome from LJ2, so we now have our pair safely back. The moment she landed on the nest LJ2 brought her nesting material, large sticks, small sticks and a fish. He was obviously pleased to see her and they immediately settled on their new nest.

Since returning the pair have been spending their time at the nest and flying around together with LJ2 bringing her fish. They are a fabulous pair, well bonded and we hope they have the successful breeding season they deserve this year.

LJ2 and LM6 are both young birds originally from central Scotland who first paid interest in the Brenig nest last year. Unfortunately the night after they laid their first egg last year their nest was destroyed in a despicable chainsaw attack ... but we are extremely pleased they have both decided to come back this year!