Glesni

Glesni was the breeding female at the Dyfi nest between 2013 and 2017.

Glesni hatched in 2010 at Rutland Water's site N nest, her ring number was Blue 12 . She was the offspring of the established pair, White 08(97) and Green 5N(04). She was first seen as an intruding osprey on the Dyfi in 2012 where she made several visits to the nest and actually landed briefly towards the end of the season.

MWT Glesni and Ceulan 2012

 

 Glesni (right) lands on the Dyfi nest as an intruder in August 2012. The osprey on the left is Ceulan.

Glesni, means "new, fresh, and blue" in Welsh. She was given this name in 2013 when she fought off tough competition to become the new breeding female at the nest when Nora, the previous female failed to return. Her visits to the Dyfi  the previous year meant Glesni had an existing knowledge of the nest and the area giving her an advantage when a position at the nest became available.

MWT Glesni and Monty
Glesni (right) and Monty (left)

She maintained this position, even under extreme pressure in following seasons from other ospreys, especially Blue 24, and was successful in raising 12 chicks to fledging age, seven females and five males.

Clarach (2013♀), Cerist (2013♀), Deri (2014♀), Gwynant (2014♂), Merin (2015♂), Celyn (2015♀), Brenig (2015♂), Ceri (2016♀, died shortly after fledging), Tegid (2016♂), Aeron (2017♂), Menai (2017♀), Eitha (2017♀)

MWT Glesni and Brenig
Glesni watches as her chick Brenig calls for more fish

Glesni was a great Mother and defended her eggs and chicks resolutely from any danger. She starred on the BBC's Springwatch programmes for three years and is most famously known for her remarkable attempts at regaining her nest from Blue 24 in 2014, who had returned 11 days earlier and had taken up residence of the nest with another male osprey known as 'Dai Dot'.

It proved to be some of the "most incredible footage" that the Springwatch team had ever broadcast - their words not ours!

Glesni Finally Regains her Nest from Blue 24

Sadly Glesni did not return in 2018. She was replaced as the breeding Dyfi female by another Rutland relative - Blue 3J. A cousin we call Telyn.

Here's the tribute blog to Glesni and video below: