Continued from Manton Bay – May 2020
The history of the Manton Bay nest, breeding stats and links to previous threads can be found here
The season so far: The resident pair both returned on 16 March - Blue 33(11) at 07:12 and Maya at 13:16. For the second consecutive year, Maya laid four eggs – the first on 29 March followed by another three first seen on 4, 6 and 9 April. Maya and Blue 33(11) faithfully incubated the four eggs and on day 38, the first chick hatched 6 May c13:20 followed by Chick #2 on 8 May c06:10, Chick #3 on 10 May c14:45, and Chick #4 on 13 May c20:45.
All four chicks have thrived under the protection of Maya and Blue 33(11) who has once again proved to be a fantastic provider for his family.
In two/three week’s time, the chicks will be ringed and we’ll learn a bit more about them.
Webcam\Copyright: © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
13:46 Maya grabs the fish and feeds #4 who is first up :-D
13:47 the rest seem quite content to wait their turn as #4 tucks in
13:53 #4 now joined by two older siblings
13:55 #4 now turned away. Maya continues feeding
eicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
13:59 having a flap while waiting their turn to be fed
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
off out now - SYL
Richard B
Aren't they just Richard! - The transformation in just a few weeks never ceases to amaze me :-)
A capture of #3 taken earlier earlier
© LRWT
I do hope they manage to ring the chicks Cathy! The main difference with this nest is that they need a boat to go out so definitely a minimum of two required as one is needed to steady the boat and also take the chicks from the one who climbs the ladder and passes the chicks down. I am sure they ringed them in the boat last year and it looked a fair size so hopefully they will be able to do it while maintaining a safe distance. With #4 being a week younger they may try to hold off as long as possible but thinking back to last year - 057 was ringed at 4.5 weeks so another week or so :-)
What a moody looking sky! - Maya waiting on 33 bringing dinner
08:30 Maya was feeding the chicks
and now, 22:42 Maya is snuggled down with them