Gwailch Y Pysgod (Welsh ospreys)

I have just returned from two weeks residential volunteering at an Aren't Birds Brilliant site organised by the RSPB. This site, on the River Glaslyn near Prenteg, Porthmadog is the only place you are able to see nesting ospreys in Wales.

These birds were first recorded nesting here in 2004 when they lost both their chicks and have returned each year since, successfully raising two chicks every year. The photograph shows the view from the hide looking towards the trees in which the birds have nested.The site is open daily from 10.00am until 6.00pm.


During my stay accomodation was provided in a two bedroomed caravan complete with lounge, kitchen and bathroom. The caravan site at Aberdunant was a mere 20 minute walk from the public viewing area.


Duties during my first week consisted mainly of showing the birds to the public from the viewing hide where they could use powerful telescopes to view the nest area. Live images were beamed from cameras at the nest site to the visitor centre where they could be viewed on large TV screens.

On Thursday of my first week I visited the protection site and the following day witnessed the first egg being laid. The same day I had already helped to look for the nests of red kite so that someone could ring them.


Saturday saw another partner arrive at the caravan for a week of residential volunteering. We spent much more time at the protection site including two early morning sessions starting at 6.00am. We were rewarded on Monday by the sight of the third and final egg being laid.


Tuesday was our day off which we spent visiting South Stack on Anglesey with a brief visit to Penmon Point on our return journey. The weather was glorious if a little cold but we manages to see many wonderful birds. These included chough, raven, peregrine, kittiwake, fulmar. razorbill, guillemot, puffin, rock pipit, stonechat and wheatear at South Stack and black guillemot, shag, eider and sandwich tern at Penmon.

A return to Glaslyn for our early morning starts at the protection site resulted in views of a second male osprey together with a red kite circling above the nest.

Back at the viewing area we saw a grey seal swimming up the river and finally on Friday afternoon a second female osprey flew over our heads at about 50 feet.

All in all a very exhausting but totally satisfying two weeks engaged in practical conservation was much appreciated.