Continued from Manton Bay – June 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. Maya, for the second consecutive year, laid four eggs – the first on 29 March and the other three first seen 4, 6 and 9 April. Maya and Blue 33(11) faithfully incubated the eggs and on day 38, chick #1 hatched 6 May c 13:20 followed by chick #2 on 8 May c 06:10, chick #3 on 10 May c14:45, and chick #4 on 13 May c20:45. On 16 June the chicks were ringed with their blue darvics – chick #1- 080, chick #2 - 081, chick #3 - 082 and chick #4 - 083 - and are all thought to be males.
On 26 June at 16:03, Blue 080 fledged aged 51 days followed by Blue 082 at 06:15 on 29 June aged 50 days and soon 081 and 083 will too.
For the next six weeks or so, the chicks will explore their surroundings perfecting their flying skills and strengthening their wings and for when they migrate. Until then Maya and 33 will protect their young and 33 will continue to bring in fish for his family.
Webcam\Copyright: © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
just now Maya is pottering about as one juvenile shouts
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
10:06 Maya is on the nest with a huge fish which one of the juveniles takes from her
10:20 Juvenile still tucking in while Maya and the other stand by
10:21 Maya flies off
Missed delivery so unsure if 33 had been in or if perhaps Maya had gone fishing?
They are all still here :-)
11:10 Maya on the nest with her four boys
All waiting to be fed and a few minutes later, the juvenile leaves the fish, flies off and next in line takes his turn.
Checking the nest and see another large fish has been delivered.
33 is certainly looking after his family.
One juvenile tucking in
Quick check and see the fish is still being shared round the family.
Two left on the nest - 081 eating as 083 waits
081 finishes, cleans its beak and 083 takes the remaining fish
083 tucking in
081 flies off leaving 083 who is looking around
and then eats again