TIDYING UP FOR WINTER
2024 season closure checks
With the departure of the birds in early-September, and prior to the expected winter flooding, the attention of Usk Valley Ospreys and Welsh Government turned to preparing for 2025.
At the end of September a biannual check on the tree, the nest and all the fittings was made to update the one made in March 2024. In advance of that, and in response to concerns over how strong the nest-bearing oak limb might be, with brilliant support from National Grid, a telegraph pole was erected close to the current natural nest. Purely for insurance reasons, this pole could host a replacement platform and nest (if needed), or any combination of a perch for off-duty osprey and as an additional camera position. With the benefit of a ‘cherry-picker’ for safe access at height and calling in our regular specialists a close inspection was made. Personnel included a first visit from an experienced arborist to determine condition of the branches in particular. He doubles as a fungal expert and can advise on rot capabilities of various fungi species found. It should be said that everyone present wanted the current natural nest in this 350-yr old oak to remain but would be guided by the arborist’s assessment.
Getting ready to hoist the pole! (thanks to David Morris for the photo)
Fortunately the arborist was able to declare the oak limb supporting the nest is healthy, or as much as can be expected for a tree of that age.
Terms of the current NRW licence issued to UVO last spring prevent any disturbance to the nest itself. With guidance from Tim Mackrill judicious pruning of small oak branches around the nest to create potential perches on the limb was carried out, and the camera and cabling secured ahead of winter storms. Additional provision for a mount for a new ‘cup-cam’ was also installed to allow for viewing of nest contents in 2025. We hope in the event of eggs and young chicks next year that our ‘Watchers’ will have an added dimension to their gathering of data next year. 24-hr security cameras near the tree, linked to a control centre, will permanently remain operational.
An additional perch was attached to the pole to encourage the male to keep closer attention when the female is incubating, and for one or both adults to be on call as chicks grow in the nest. This will aid viewpoint ‘Watchers’ installed on the canal towpath as many of the 2024 perches used were some distance away from both the nest and the viewpoint.
Job done! and a welcoming perch to greet our birds when they return in the spring (photo David Morris).
Usk Valley Ospreys are immensely grateful to Welsh Government in making provision for these end-of-season checks on their land, and for the services of Dr Tim Mackrill, Wildlife Windows staff, National Grid (Brecon) and TR33 arborists.
If you are already enthused by what 2025 might bring then please continue to look in on the UVO website/Facebook pages for the latest news, and to use facilities on the DONATE page to financially support the work we are doing. Feedback from our members, Watchers and the public in 2024 makes all the hard work in delivering these fascinating birds to you so much more rewarding.