Ospreys are returning to the Usk Valley…

Protecting one of the few breeding pairs in Wales

In 2023 a pair of ospreys built a magnificent nest at the top of an oak tree on Gilestone Farm, on the outskirts of Talybont on Usk. This is the first pair to successfully build a nest this far south in Wales for hundreds of years. Our group aims to make sure the ospreys are properly protected and to give the birds the best possible chance of thriving in their new home.

The nest is situated on Gilestone Farm, owned by Welsh Government. Following the arrival of the pair in 2023 the government moved quickly to protect the nest, to commission a conservation plan and more recently to install a nest cam. Both the government and the tenant farmer are to be commended for their positive approach.

STOP PRESS

(February 2025)

An appeal for NEW ‘Watchers’

The role of a ‘Watcher’ is to carry out a bookable longer shift (2hr shifts) watching the nest-cam (or attending the towpath Viewpoint) and enter behaviour data onto an ‘Observation Log.’   This is separate to those that might wish to casually dip into/out of the live-streaming when they can.

You are invited to attend our Usk Valley Ospreys ‘Watcher Training’ session, to be held in Henderson Hall (postcode LD3 7YQ) on Sunday 23rd March 2025, starting at 10.00 am, and ending at 12.30pm.

It is a requirement that you register as a member (currently free) of Usk Valley Ospreys (www.uskvalleyospreys.org) before registering your interest in attending via the email address below.

We will be providing tea and coffee during the session. You may wish to bring a packed lunch with you although time will be limited at the Hall as refresher training for experienced Watchers (2024) will commence from 1.30pm.

Further details about the training venue can be found at the Henderson Hall website: www.henderson-hall.com

The first part of your session will take place in the hall, where you will be given information on Ospreys, and shown how to record the bird’s activities on a data log. This will be followed by an optional visit along the towpath to the viewing point. Please ensure that you wear appropriate outdoor kit, and if you have a pair of binoculars, to bring them along.

We look forward to meeting you at our training event.

If interested, please register your membership and let us know if you are able to attend by 20th March. Email: info@uskvalleyospreys.org 

We do not plan to offer alternative date(s) for this opportunity.

Best wishes,

Usk Valley Ospreys

Website address: www.uskvalleyospreys.org