A PAIR of ospreys that had their nesting site at a reservoir destroyed by a chainsaw have had a new telegraph pole erected for a new nest.

In April, the nest at Llyn Brenig was destroyed in a deliberate act of vandalism - just a day after the pair of ospreys had laid their first egg.

But the breeding project has received a boost thanks to a team from Openreach and GT Williams who have sourced and erected a new telegraph pole for a new osprey nesting platform at Welsh Water's site.

The pole, obtained and supplied by Openreach, was installed for free by the telecommunications supplier and contractor GT Williams Civil Engineering, and marks the first stage in efforts to attract back a breeding pair of ospreys to the site after an act of vandalism earlier in the year.

A specially built new platform will be put into place at a later date.

The Brenig Osprey Project, a partnership between Welsh Water and North Wales Wildlife Trust, was devastated by the felling of the original platform in April 2021. A pair of ospreys had established a nest and laid its first egg the day before vandals cut down the structure with a chainsaw under the cover of darkness.

Graeme Cotterill, of North Wales Wildlife Trust, said: "We are incredibly grateful to members of the public and partner businesses such as Openreach and GT Williams who have supported the Brenig Osprey Project since its inception.

"The outpouring of generosity following the original wildlife crime has been truly heartening, and we look forward to a successful osprey breeding season in 2022."

Suzanne Rutherford, of Openreach, said: “We were delighted to be able to provide a helping hand to the Brenig Osprey Project. The fibre network that we’ve enhanced in and around Llyn Brenig will improve security for these beautiful birds.

“People often think of having good fibre broadband as a must have for working from home, shopping online or downloading HD movies. Now we can also add to that list keeping the endangered osprey safe.”

William Williams of engineering contractor GT Williams added: "We care deeply about the environment and wildlife in North Wales, and we are grateful for this opportunity to provide our materials and services for free in the interest of giving back to nature."

Ospreys have made Llyn Brenig their home since 2018 and may be seen from mid-March until August. The spectacular fish-eating bird of prey is rare because of its historical decline and low breeding numbers.