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Ospreys reunite in Wales for third year together

Oscar Edwards
BBC News
Glaslyn Wildlife Two brown and white ospreys perched on a nest together. The nest is lined by large twigs, with grass and straw in the middle. Below them a tree can be seen and a large flat grass plain. Glaslyn Wildlife
The majority of UK ospreys migrate more than 3,000 miles away to western Africa, before returning in the spring

A pair of ospreys have reunited for a third year after returning from winter migration.

Aran and Elen have both returned to their newly-restored nest near Porthmadog in Gwynedd.

The lovebirds raised two chicks in their first year together and three last year.

The majority of UK ospreys migrate to western Africa, more than 3,000 miles away, before returning to the UK in the spring.

Aran, named after the Eryri National Park's Yr Aran summit, was previously partnered with Mrs G.

She was one of the UK's most successful breeding female ospreys but failed to return from Africa in 2023.

Aran was devastated, spending much of his time alone on the nest before being partnered up with Elen who took over as the Glaslyn female.

She was named after the mountain Yr Elen, which sits in Eryri's Carneddau range.

Glaslyn Wildlife A brown and white osprey with yellow eyes looks at the camera.Glaslyn Wildlife
Mrs G, who was one of the UK's most successful breeding Ospreys, did not return to Wales in 2023

Elen arrived back in Glaslyn Valley three weeks ago on March 22, according to osprey protection group Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn Wildlife.

Aran, who is celebrating his 11th year at Glaslyn, arrived three weeks later but was surprised to find Elen being courted by a new suitor.

He has had to regain control of his territory since returning by bringing fish to Elen in order to re-establish his suitability as her partner.

According to the Dyfi Osprey Project there are an estimated 300 pairs of ospreys in the UK.

There are approximately 270 pairs of ospreys in Scotland, around 25 pairs in England and five pairs in Wales.

Sports fans will recognise the name as one of the four professional rugby union teams in Wales.

The bird of prey was formerly a symbol on Swansea RFC's jerseys with the current Ospreys logo displaying an image of an osprey mask.