A day-old osprey chick had a near ‘disastrous experience’ at a North Wales beauty spot when its mother was startled, potentially by a nearby drone. The disturbance nearly caused the chick to fall from its nest on the shores of Llyn Brenig, raising concerns about drone usage in wildlife areas. ‘Little Bob’ is the first osprey chick to hatch this season at Llyn Brenig, located on the border between Denbighshire and Conwy.
The incident has prompted North Wales Police to remind the public that flying drones at the site without authorisation is strictly prohibited. The Brenig Osprey Project shared details of the incident on social media: “Osprey chick born had an unexpected and nearly disastrous experience earlier today (Sunday). “Mum was disturbed and flew off the nest flicking Little Bob to the other side of the nest.
Luckily the little one managed to roll/crawl back to the nest cup. Phew!!!!” A spokesperson for the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team confirmed that two individuals were found flying a drone in the area. They said: “Great news that the first osprey chick has hatched at Brenig and is reportedly doing well.
“However, we did come across two persons flying a drone in the vicinity, and this is a reminder that the flying of drones at Brenig is not permitted without authority from management. “Clearly, the use of drones at this sensitive time could have a detrimental effect upon the birds.” Ospreys, once extinct in Wales, have been making a comebac.
