MANTON BAY – MAY 2019

This happened the other night, #4 was fed last in what looked like, and I laughed at, a private sitting with Maya.   

All chicks stuffed full of fish are now tucked up under mum and there is plenty fish around the nest!

© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust

I'm off now - BFN

Maya just woken up and walks around a little and has gone back to brooding Think she is already having difficulties getting them all under her

I've done a quick catchup of all your posts and am so relieved to arrive at good news on this page! Thank you, everyone.

As for wonder if Maya might be "poorly" - the night before last I was worried about her, she was doing a lot of very slow cropdrops and looking sorry for herself in between, but later recovered. I was thinking how we don't know how old she is.

Whenever I try to find scenes to extract for a vid the footage turns out to be frozen - hence there's been no Blue33 feeding the chicks. My cams have to look after themselves with only the help of half-hourly browser refreshes, and this cam just hasn't been up to it :'(

Morning All - Now Day 14 since first hatch

Maya just standing watching over her sleeping brood

© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust

SCYLLA - interesting what you noticed with Maya.  Looking at Rutland's info about Maya, she arrived June 2009 suggesting she was a 2 yo returnee so if right, Maya will be 12 yo but of course not being ringed they cannot be 100%.

And what a shame the cam has been freezing so much for you but can't be helped.   You do so much and a fantastic job around all the threads and that is appreciated:-)  

Maya feeding the chicks just now 

#1 & #2 getting the lions share.   #3 doesn't appear hungry.  #4 has pushed in and getting bits too

#3 has now joined in but #4 has kept its front position and still getting the odd bit.   

© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust     

Good morning everyone. Well done No 4, I'm rooting for you.

Joking aside what a lot of work this is feeding 4 chicks it is no wonder the clutch size is normally 3. Thank goodness the nest is in a great fishing spot with plenty of fish being delivered.

Agree Jane, what an eyeopener this is for the amount of work Maya and 33 are already putting in is unbelievable.

As far as I am aware this is the first time on a public cam that we are seeing 4 chicks being raised. Thankfully 33 is a fantastic provider and the weather has been good. Long may this continue.

33 approaches with a stick

  © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust

Yes, the sides do need building up now and I am sure 33 will see to this :-)

Off now   BBL

I'm sure a high percentage of No 4 chicks would perish because of the amount of food that is required to keep them all going.