A PAIR of lovebird ospreys were guarding their North Wales nest last night after the female laid a surprise third egg. RSPB Cymru staff and volunteers were on hand to see the egg arrive on Sunday morning. They have mounted a 24-hour watch over the rare birds' nest at Pont Croesor, near Porthmadog, since April 29. RSPB Cymru Glaslyn osprey project manager Gili Armson said: "The female osprey has been surprising us every step of the way. "From the beginning, she took longer to settle into the nest than we thought she would, keeping us all wondering if the pair would produce eggs at all, so we were thrilled when they came along. "Normally, ospreys lay two to three eggs with only a one or two-day period between each, but there was a four-day gap between our female's first egg on May 2 and her second one. "Now we have a third, which is fantastic news. The nest is around 5ft by 6ft, so there is plenty of room for them all." The viewing site at Pont Croesor has attracted an average of 500 visitors a day since it opened. There are opportunities to view the birds through telescopes and binoculars, talk to staff and volunteers about the project, and watch live images from the nest-cam. Gili added: "We are learning so much from our nest-cam. "We can observe every little detail of their behaviour and pick up things that you just can't learn from a book. It's fascinating. "The ospreys have really captured people's imaginations. "Visitors have even been asking us to email updates to them while they are away on holiday." The hide will remain open until early September. For more information call RSPB Cymru, North Wales office 01248 363800, email cymru@rspb.org.uk or visit www.rspb.org.uk/wales. The Glaslyn Osprey project is part of the Aren't Welsh Birds Brilliant! project, co-ordinated by RSPB Cymru in partnership with Forestry Commission Wales, Countryside Council for Wales and Enfys. It is part-funded by the European Union's Objective 1 programme through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). | 
