2014 has been a hugely momentous year for ospreys in Wales.

A decade ago, the first osprey chick fledged a nest in Mid Wales for the first time in many centuries, and just 10 years on in 2014, 10 chicks fledged out of four Welsh nests. That is some going for a large raptor species like the osprey.

At Cors Dyfi the new 360 Observatory opened, as did our first proper toilets! Over 100 volunteers donated over 8,000 hours of their time and for the fourth year in a row, the Dyfi nest produced young. Gwynant and Deri will be hopefully be getting to grips with their new life in Africa right now, whilst starting their feather moult in preparation for their return in May 2016.

Deri - the 43rd and final osprey to fledge a Welsh nest during the first 10 years of ospreys in Wales.

We also started our new online shop in 2014 and sold over 1,200 calendars - you can put them up now! We will hopefully expand the e-shop to sell other items over the coming months.

2014 will be a hard year to follow, but I guess we say that every year. One thing is for sure, we will be working as hard as ever to bring you the best osprey experiences we can.

We start 2015 with a bit of a special treat. Iolo Williams visited DOP in mid July on a hot and sweltering day and Janine, Alwyn, and I sat in Lowri's cafe and recorded a short interview with him. We talked about his osprey experiences, the success of ospreys in Wales over the last 10 years, and also touched on what the future may hold.

Many thanks to Iolo as always and to all of you for your support again in 2014 - it won't be long now until we hear that familiar thud on the nest and the whole place goes bonkers once again!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy New Year to you all.
    Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~