Maya & 33’s Record Breaking Season so far:
Maya surprised us when she arrived back 12 March, the earliest date ever recorded at a UK public nest.
Blue 33(11), not to be outshone, arrived two days later on 14 March, making this date the earliest known for a returning pair.
On 28 March Maya laid her first egg, becoming the earliest egg to be laid in a UK public nest beating the current record by 5 days!
And in the early hours of 31 March, Maya laid a second egg.
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
Over the next few days we can expect Maya to lay another egg or perhaps she may lay another two! But let’s hope our record breaking pair enjoy a peaceful April and plenty of good weather while they incubate their precious eggs.
Sunbathing.
33 is usually away fishing about this time but not tonight - he is snuggled up next to Maya
Awwwwwwwww!
Kind regards, Ann
Just watched him settling down Karen. The capture of them both looking up is fab.
If there was an "Osprey Dad" of the Year, I think 33 would win hands down. He is so attentive to Maya :-)
Awww!
© LEICESTER AND RUTLAND WILDLIFE TRUST
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
Dad of the year, yes, and/or he just enjoys settling down beside Maya which might lead to sitting on the eggs himself! He ended up being an only chick after his natal nest suffered from intruders--perhaps he just likes the company, like snuggling down next to his Mum!
That's lovely Mary and as for 33, definitely an award due.
One of your nice certificates at the end of the year would be very fitting :-)
I reckon when he intruded at Manton Bay as a chick he thought to himself one day this will be all mine :-)
33 had flown off a few minutes ago and hasn't gone fishing but has returned with a stick
He's off again.
And one to keep in mind for another award - for sticks :-)
33 definitely deserved the Stick Award in his first year at Manton Bay, 2014. That first summer he more than doubled the depth of the layer of sticks around the edge of the nest.
I know Ann, I was amazed watching him bringing all those sticks in. I also felt really sorry for 33 at the beginning of the following season when they stripped the nest back undoing all his work but there again, he had all the enjoyment all over again re-building it.
33 has again been on the nest and snuggled up next to Maya and a few minutes he flew off. I wonder if he has now gone to get their dinner.