Monty the osprey arrives in Mid Wales from Africa

On April 1 Monty and Glesni returned to the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve, near Machynlleth, on the same day – as they did last year – and quickly re-established themselves on their nest.

Emyr Evans, the manager of the Dyfi Osprey Project, said: "At 10.20am our volunteers in the 360 Observatory started shouting "osprey, osprey" down their walkie-talkies.

"Soon those cries were of 'Glesni, Glesni!' Sure enough our girl landed on the larch perch.

"This was a first for us, and for Glesni. Her earliest return date so far had been 3rd April, so she beat this by two days. Over the last four years, since she has been established at this nest, she has returned on April 10, 9, 3 and 1 – a clear pattern of returning earlier each year. She was also home before Monty, another first.

"Glesni was soon in nest-furbishment mode, bringing back clumps of sward and grass, then re-arranging some of the sticks Blue 24, her cousin, had meticulously placed in the nest for her during the previous week.

"Actually, it wasn't long before both cousins were reunited. Blue 24 made two sweeps over the nest before giving up – these girls have history, there was no need for a protracted fight.

"Blue 24 was testing the water, having a quick look. Her cousin was in great condition following her long journey home. Game over.

"As if Glesni returning home and Blue 24 stomping through weren't enough to have us reaching for the beta-blockers, there was one last, rather momentous, heart-racing event still to come. Just as he did last year, and beating all previous arrival records, Monty joined the party just before 4pm. Cue crazy celebrations and stranger-hugging behaviours in the visitor centre and observatory. Our boy was back."

The pair mated for the first time this year shortly after Monty arrived, and staff are now hoping for the first egg of the season to be laid this week.

Mr Evans said: "Last week we watched Monty from the 360 Observatory dive into the Dyfi River, catch two fish at once, one with each talon, struggle out of the water before flying back to the nest with them.

"Glesni and Monty shared them, one mullet each – his and hers."