Natural Resources Wales has confirmed a heartbreaking update after chicks were born at the Llyn Clywedog nest last month
11:29, 08 Jun 2026Updated 11:29, 08 Jun 2026
Over the past 12 years more than 20 chicks have been born at the nest in mid Wales(Image: Natural Resources Wales Mid (Facebook))
Welsh wildlife lovers are distraught after Natural Resources Wales announced some heartbreaking news that took place last week. Ospreys have made their home at Llyn Clywedog in the Hafren Forest near Llanidloes since 2014 when the NRW team constructed a nest in a sitka spruce tree.
Over the past 12 years they have seen 22 chicks successfully leaving the nest. In 2020, they installed livestream cameras at the nest to allow supporters to observe osprey pair, Seren and Dylan on YouTube.
The 2026 stream commenced in late March, however the livestream camera positioned on the perch was turned off this weekend after a tragedy occurred.
Osprey pairs, who form lifelong bonds and are monogamous, can successfully raise up to three chicks simultaneously, so observers were thrilled to discover the Clywedog pair had a complete nest by mid-May.
However, Natural Resources Wales posted on their Facebook page on Friday, June 5 an update confirming that the two-week-old chicks had tragically perished from hypothermia. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here
They said: “We’re very sad to share that three two-week-old osprey chicks from the NRW conservation nest at Clywedog have died from hypothermia.
“During cold, heavy rain on Wednesday night, the female left the nest, leaving the chicks exposed. The male continued to return to feed and protect them, but without the female he was unable to brood them.
“Following expert advice, our team briefly turned off the live camera and removed the chicks.
“Thankfully, the female returned safe and well on Thursday night. Both adult birds remain at the nest and are likely to prepare for migration earlier than usual.
“We know how much these birds mean to so many people, and we share your sadness. Nature can be both beautiful and harsh.”
Commenters shared their upset and condolences over the sad news. Some have suggested that the abrupt shift in weather conditions may have been a contributing factor.
One commenter said: “The whole team do amazing work – and nature can be unforgiving.”
Another added: “I am very sorry to read this & for the poor parents. The climate is more unpredictable than ever.
“People rarely think of what it must be like living out in the elements that change in a moment & back again but I do, caring for many wild birds & understand how precarious life/survival is.”
As shared by NRW, both birds in the breeding pair are safe and will soon be expected to begin their migration ahead of schedule. The Clywedog female is known to head to the Tanji Marsh in Gambia, West Africa.