Continued from April 2019
The season so far:
Maya arrived back 14 March and Blue 33(11) on 23 March. They are currently incubating 4 eggs laid 2, 5, 8 and 11 April with the first expected to hatch around 9 May
Link to Webcam\Copyright: © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
JaneV said: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.
The availability of food is crucial to survival for any chicks and that is why when eggs are being laid there is often an unspoken hope that no more than three will be laid. History seems to suggest that three is about as many as the average pair can support.
Birdies LG DU update.
Everyone duck...sorry on iPad so only small...hopefully someone will have something better.
Gosh they are like a chicken and a turkey.
The oldest is getting a bit adventurous!
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
Maya giving the chicks a top up just now. One of the older chicks is not interested in food but crawling around the nest while the other older chick was fed first along with #3. #4 was at the front but lying down and keeping its head down.
Perhaps #4 is really wise for it is staying out of trouble waiting until its elders are fed and then gets fed at the end and it is now getting loads from Maya.
33 arrived with a small piece of nesting material. He then grabbed one of the fish and flew off, quickly returning. Chicks up and wobbling about LOL Maya took the fish from 33 and has now started to feed the chicks again.
#4 lying down but has itself in a nice position and is getting some fish
The older chicks have now moved in and when pushing forward and over #4, its head is forced down.
When the larger chicks are full and retreat, #4 will be able to surface again. But at least it has had a couple of bits.
A bit of bullying going on just now. I assume it is #1 that has had a go at its younger siblings
#1 picking on #2
#1 then turns around and picks on #3
Thankfully #4 kept its head down and out of the way!
Maya to the rescue with a bit of fish which distracts #1
All lined up and the eldest chicks are getting first to the fish