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Home / Type of trip / Active / Dyfi Osprey Project, Snowdonia

Dyfi Osprey Project, Snowdonia

April 15, 2014 by Gretta Schifano 29 Comments

 

Dyfi Osprey Project. Image courtsy of Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust.

Dyfi Osprey Project. Image courtsy of Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust.

Ospreys, it seems, have pretty brutal love lives. Those that breed in the UK spend the winter in Africa and then fly 3,000 miles back to their nests in spring. But when they arrive here they may have to battle other birds for both their nest and their mate.

My daughter didn’t come with the rest of the family to the Dyfi Osprey Project in Wales at the weekend as she was busy revising for her GCSEs. When I told her about what the ospreys had been doing she said it sounded just like the reality TV show ‘Made in Chelsea’.

I’ve not seen the show but this was the story so far when we visited: four birds had arrived from Africa at various times over the previous week but only two remained. One was Monty, a male who’s bred here before and the other was Blue 24, a female who’s new to the reserve. Monty had already seen off another male who he found on the nest when he arrived here. Blue 24 had spent the previous day battling her cousin, Glesni, who bred with Monty last year but arrived last week to find the younger female already in residence. Just as in the best stories there was a palpable air of excitement around what would happen next. Would Glesni return? Would any other ospreys turn up? Would Monty and Blue 24 mate and have chicks? Nobody could know what would happen next.

Replica osprey egg, Dyfi Osprey Project. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Replica osprey egg, Dyfi Osprey Project. Copyright Gretta Schifano

At the entrance to the reserve is a building with a wall of screens showing live footage from the ospreys’ nest and perches. As we watch Monty deliver a fish to a waiting Blue 24, Kim Williams, the project’s Learning Officer, says: ‘He’s trying to impress her, to prove that he can feed both her and her chicks.’ Ospreys are sizeable birds of prey: the wingspan of an adult bird can reach up to 175 cms. They feed exclusively on fish, diving into the water and catching their prey with their talons. Kim shows us a replica osprey egg – my son holds it and says it’s a bit bigger than a chicken’s egg.

Kim explains that a century ago ospreys were hunted to extinction in Britain. Now they’re protected by law and there are thought to be around 40-50 breeding pairs across Britain, including here at the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s Cors Dyfi nature reserve. Kim says that when the ospreys lay eggs here they have round-the-clock surveillance and security to protect them: I’m amazed when she says that there have been cases of people walking along the nearby train track to get close to the nest.

We walk around the reserve. Near the entrance is a wooded area with a reconstructed osprey nest on the ground. Kim assures us that the nest is big enough for five children but my son declines to sit in it. Beyond the woods the ground is marshy with reed beds but there’s a new boardwalk winding through the reserve which offers a good vantage point for watching the wildlife. There are dormice, otters, fish and some rare small birds here as well as the ospreys and in the summer the reeds are grazed by a pair of water buffalo.

Observatory, Dyfi Osprey Project. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Observatory, Dyfi Osprey Project. Copyright Gretta Schifano

The boardwalk leads to a new observatory which is about 200 metres from the nest. The observatory is closed when we visit but is open from Easter and will be a fantastic spot from which to watch the ospreys.

If you want to follow the unfolding drama of the ospreys’ story you can do so via the live stream on the Dyfi Osprey Project website.

Family travel lowdown: There’s a suggested donation of £2.50 for adults visiting the Dyfi Osprey Project, £5.00 for a weekly pass, £10 for a season ticket. Under 16s are free. There’s a café by the entrance and there are often activities for children running during the school holidays. The Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s Dyfi Osprey Project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund’s Communities and Nature Project through the Welsh Government. Thanks to Visit Wales and CAN for arranging our visit.

 

 

 

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Related

Categories: Active, Wales
Tags: conservation, Osprey Project, Snowdonia, Wales

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Susanna says

    May 5, 2014 at 6:36 am

    That’e very funny about Made in Chelsea – perhaps there is only a few degrees of separation??
    Susanna recently posted…Spring: Yosemite’s best kept secretMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Cass@frugalfamily says

    April 26, 2014 at 7:46 am

    This looks like a brilliant place to visit – my two would love it!
    Cass@frugalfamily recently posted…Sticky Lemon Muffins….My Profile

    Reply
  3. Kara says

    April 24, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    I would love to visit here especially after seeing a birds of prey show the other week
    Kara recently posted…Beaulieu Motor MuseumMy Profile

    Reply
  4. abigail says

    April 24, 2014 at 7:40 am

    I’ve learnt so much just from this post! And yes it does sound like Made in Chelsea (not that I’m admitting to watching it….) Looks like a great place to visit!
    abigail recently posted…foundMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Lisa Prince (@BEAUTY_IIAO) says

    April 24, 2014 at 6:58 am

    fabulous pictures, and wow what an egg , soo pretty

    Reply
  6. Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says

    April 23, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    This looks like a great place to visit and the entry costs are really good x
    Kirsty Hijacked By Twins recently posted…Nanna Kay’s No Added Salt Meals – ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Sarah Bailey says

    April 23, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    What a fantastic sounding place to visit, be interesting to hear what happens with Monty and Blue 24. x
    Sarah Bailey recently posted…How Observant..My Profile

    Reply
  8. Carole at Healthier Mummy says

    April 23, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    I’m gripped. Looking forward to finding out what happens next to Blue 24 and Monty. Sounds like a good trip.

    Reply
  9. Kirsty says

    April 23, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    I love that there was someone available to explain the unfolding saga to you and cameras so you could see the Osprey up close without too much effort. What a great place and the observatory looks amazing.
    Kirsty recently posted…We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen OxenburyMy Profile

    Reply
  10. sam@happyhomebird says

    April 23, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    Looks a great place and just the sort of thing I hope to get my son into. I did a lot of conservation work so enjoy anything like this.
    sam@happyhomebird recently posted…St George’s DayMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Jenny says

    April 23, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    That sounds like an interesting place to visit. My only worry would be my noisy children scaring the wildlife away!
    Jenny recently posted…Win a Lego Duplo Creative Cakes setMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Pinkoddy says

    April 23, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    What a great experience – love that your son got to hold an Osprey egg.
    Pinkoddy recently posted…Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Blooms Garden CentreMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Kizzy says

    April 23, 2014 at 4:37 pm

    We have Osprey nesting near us at Rutland Water but we haven’t visited the site when it has its open day. Maybe we will this year!
    Kizzy recently posted…#TheGallery EasterMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Michelle says

    April 23, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    What an amazing place to visit – I’m intrigued by the size of the nest!
    Michelle recently posted…The #GreatBritishHomeChallenge – Living It Up In Essex!My Profile

    Reply
  15. Emily says

    April 23, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    A place I would love to visit.

    Reply
  16. Bex Smith says

    April 23, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    Such beautiful birds! Wish I lived closer 🙁
    Bex Smith recently posted…Busy Busy BeeMy Profile

    Reply
  17. You Baby Me Mummy says

    April 23, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    What a great place to visit x
    You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Snapfish ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  18. anna says

    April 23, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    This looks like a great place to visit, very educational and somewhere a bit different
    anna recently posted…Yvolution Y Fliker Kids Scooter ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Mummy of Two says

    April 23, 2014 at 11:22 am

    This sounds like a brilliant place to visit. So interesting.
    Mummy of Two recently posted…Our Easter in PicturesMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Helen The good life mum says

    April 23, 2014 at 11:20 am

    oh wow i would love to see an osprey

    Reply
  21. Anna J says

    April 23, 2014 at 9:59 am

    I remember seeing an Osprey in rutland water, they really are a sight to behold. Such majestic birds.
    Anna J recently posted…Week 135- trapped wind, straddling Shetland ponies and groaning like a grandad…My Profile

    Reply
  22. Kerry says

    April 23, 2014 at 9:56 am

    We have an Osprey near us in North Wales, having never been I think i will now x
    Kerry recently posted…Birthday GirlMy Profile

    Reply
  23. Polly says

    April 23, 2014 at 7:41 am

    this isn’t far from us, need to pay a visit
    Polly recently posted…MamaheartMy Profile

    Reply
  24. Louise Edwards says

    April 19, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    Beautiful birds, we would love to visit this it sounds like a brilliant nature reserve cc
    Louise Edwards recently posted…Egg hunting with Waitrose #easter @waitroseMy Profile

    Reply
  25. Trish - Mum's Gone to says

    April 19, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    Your daughter is right – this is compelling viewing! I love a good love story but these guys have it tough.
    Trish – Mum’s Gone to recently posted…Mum’s gone to GlasgowMy Profile

    Reply
  26. Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault says

    April 19, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Here in Normandy we have large number of buzzards, sparrowhawks and kestrels and I have seen a marsh harrier but sadly it it not osprey country. Such wonderful birds.
    Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault recently posted…Where’s Elliot?My Profile

    Reply
  27. Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) says

    April 19, 2014 at 9:57 am

    I always wanted to go to Wales are thats where my mother-in-law is from. Such nice place! Thanks for sharing your experience in there =) #countrykids
    Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…Expressions at Brean Down FortMy Profile

    Reply
  28. Sarah Ebner says

    April 19, 2014 at 9:11 am

    Fascinating – sounds great for a family trip
    Sarah Ebner recently posted…An Awesome Time At Hever Castle By Jessica!My Profile

    Reply
  29. Wendy at Tots says

    April 17, 2014 at 8:29 am

    Amazing looking building they have… love taking my girls to see things like this…

    Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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