We have all waited patiently with fingers crossed to see if our pair of buzzards would settle down and raise a family on our webcam nest but after a lot of early activity they seem to gone to somewhere else. So not to worry here at Arne we have always got something else up our sleaves and I am sure a lot of you will remember our kestrel family from last year. They had a brilliant 2011 by succesfully raising four healthy chicks including the smallest one that worried a few people early on.
We have decided to put this nest back online now and you can also come and watch it in the visitor centre. The female is sitting on 5 eggs at the moment and this is the same as last year although one failed to hatch. We are not sure when she laid her eggs as she was already sitting on the 5 when we turned the camera back on a week ago. However we think she is at least 2 weeks earlier than last year and the first chick actually hatched on the 21st May 2011. It is a bit difficult to predict when they will hatch but the female will incubate for about 28. So given this information please feel free to have guesses on dates!
To Watch this webcam online follow the link on our main web page or click here http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/webcam.aspx
Don't be confused by the buzzard information still on the page it will be updated in the next couple of days!
I could only see 3 heads when she was feeding, I got some screen shots, now I just have to work out how to get them on here!
Jo T Always on the side of the feathered guy!
Noise issues sorted - As I said before doesn't seem to cause an adverse effect but does come over loud on the microphone - Every one who works here is aware but there are a couple of signs as a gentle reminder!!
Thanks Michael, yes it probably does come across as much louder on the microphone here than it sounds but they must know that we can hear what they are saying!
When Mum was away briefly earlier I thought there was only the remains of 1 eggshell but eyes glued!
Good luck Jot, hope you manage it much better than me!
Oh yes, sorry, I did see another seemingly whole egg at the back just now while Mum was feeding the chicks - looked like another slow worm.
Feeding time again:
Couldn't make out more than 2 heads though.
Captain Capture King to the rescue! Definitely seen at least 3 chicks though Dom as Jot said but I thought I saw a minute little skinny thing moving earlier when Mum was away but not confirmed :-)
Excellent Dom! I'm still not sure how to get images uploaded, not used to using a mac! Def 3 saw the 3rd shortly after it hatched earlier. Hopefully the last egg will hatch tomorrow. Dad seems to be doing a good job of bringing the food in. It's very eggciting, sorry couldn't resist!
Click the "Use rich formatting" link bottom right of the forum post text entry box and it lets you insert images.
So we only have 4 eggs this year?
As far as I can tell, I'm fairly certain there was two chicks and two egg when I was watching yesterday, got quite a good view when Mum went out for a snack.