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
Maya on the nest and calling
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
Unseen intruder and 33 joins Maya on the nest
Threat passes quickly and both fly off
081 and 082 (nearest us) calling
Checking the nest again and I see there has been a fish delivery.
081 tucking in with 082 waiting
14:04 082 picks up a loose bit of the fish - innards? left from when 081 dragged the fish over the nest and eats
14:17 081 finishes and cleans his beak
14:17 081 flies off
Maya arrives
14:19 083 arrives and grabs the fish
14:19 083 flies off with it leaving Maya and 082 with the piece
14:20 083 returns with the fish
14:23 Maya and 082 fly off leaving 083 with the fish
14:58 083 finishes and cleans his beak as Maya arrives and grabs the fish
Maya flies off with the fish and then 083 flies off too
ENS
082 now on the nest tucking in to a fish - perhaps he got it from Maya :-)
15:46 082 flies off and 081 returns and collects the fish
081 flies off with the fish
One very wet juvenile has landed on the nest!
He has flown before I had the chance to see his dravic/ID
17:50 080 lands on the nest - first I have seen him today!
18:25 081 now shouting for dinner