A pair of chough nesting in Llechwedd Slate Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog are celebrating their clutch of eggs.
On 22 April, the female chough remained fixed to the nest until the male came and tempted her out with some tasty morsels, from this behaviour we know that she has completed the clutch.
The female will normally incubate the eggs alone for 17-21 days, with four or five eggs normally laid. This year a nest camera was set up in the cave where they nest 40 metres up and will beam live footage to the screen in the visitor centre, so that everyone can watch the chough chicks and their antics.
New for this year is a microphone so visitors can enjoy the noise of the pair as they no doubt discuss the next meal or when to turn the eggs!
Chough have nested in Llechwedd Slate Caverns for many years - the rarest members of the crow family - chough are noticeable by their shining feathers and bright red legs and bills.
Kayleigh Jones, RSPB People Engagement Officer, said: “The pair have been elusive at best this year, and have managed to fly into the caverns and to their nest when no one was looking. Its so exiting that they have their clutch now and we can't wait to see how many chicks hatch in a few weeks time".
The RSPB Date with Nature event at Llechwedd Slate Caverns is free although trips into the caverns on the Miners' Tramway tour cost £9.45 for adults, £7.15 for children and £7.95 for seniors.
The RSPB Date with Nature event is open every day from 6 April to 17 July, unfortunately, it's not possible to bring wheelchairs on the trams. You can get a bite to eat from a number of places, including the Victorian Confectionary Shop, The Miners' Arms pub, serving a full lunch during the summer months, a café serving hot meals and light snacks and a retail shop.
If you want to know more about this event and others like it across Wales please visit the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant or telephone RSPB Cymru on (029) 2035 3008.