MANTON BAY - APRIL 2019

Morning Patily - I was just reading about your plight! What a nightmare for you but good to see you back on and posting.

Glad you're back with us Patily.

Half an hour left here now. Highlight today has been a garganey pair in front of the hide.

Approx 08:35 Maya was flying around the nest.  She then landed with a clump of nesting material.  Cam froze and when back up, 33 had flown and Maya now incubating.

Hopefully 33 has gone fishing

Just about over Sandra ... shame it was cold but I am sure you enjoyed your shift.

Morning All -

Maya is settled down now incubating after checking the eggs and moving the hay around them keeping them snug.

c - L&RWT

Egg #1 was laid 2 April and #2 on the 5th.   Hopefully we will see another soon - later today but I think more likely tomorrow.  

With Maya returning some time before 33, she has had time to get herself into excellent condition and most probably why she laid her first egg so early at 10 days.

But I am thinking that 10 days was very early and certainly the earliest I know of Maya laying her first egg (if wrong - please let me know). 

Does anyone know if 10 days is the earliest we know of a first egg being laid?

Hi Karen. The ever wonderful website by Chloe and Tiger tells us Loch Garten has the record, from 2008, at 7 days from observed first mating to laying. Loch of the Lowes has also been quick on occasion.

I think this year has been super quick for Maya. I found this data for her.

Hi Korky - thanks.

I have been thinking about the egg and now remember Maya laying exceptionally early in 2014.   Sadly that was the year 5R did not return and 28 appeared at the nest.   The pair first mated on April 6 and Maya laid her first egg on April 9 – 4 days.   This has to be the earliest!

Their blog, “An Early Easter Egg”  gave an explanation that simply being back was enough to get her into breeding mode thus triggering the development of eggs.  Also in 2013, (she was then with 5R) she laid her first egg 20 days after arriving and 2014, (paired with 28(10)), it was 23 days until she laid her first egg.  

This year Maya has again laid her first egg 20 days after returning (14 March – 2 Apr).

Intruder around

33 rises from the eggs looking alert

Maya arrives

33 wing flaps 

c- L&RWT

33 has now taken off and Maya settles down to incubate their two eggs