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
083 now alone
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
Must go- BFN
083 eyeing up the cam perch!
and a couple of close ups
10:12 FISH
Maya takes it
then 082 grabs and defends it
10:14 082 tucks in while the others stand by
10:20 Maya flies off - 082 still with the fish
10:28 080 flies off followed by 081. 082 continues to eat with 083 lying waiting
10:40 081 has returned wanting his turn of the fish and attempts to steal .
082 warns off 081 and keeps hold of the fish
081 flies off. 080 returns and stands waiting on 082 finishing.
11:02 082 finishes, wipes his beak and moves away from the fish.
11:04 Maya jumps down from the cam perch, takes the fish and feeds 083 who has moved towards her (bad view)
11:06 080 takes the fish from Maya and self feeds
11:16 Maya flies off and 080 continues to feast. 083 standing by
11:32 080 finishes and flies off leaving 083 alone with the fish.
083 grabs with the fish, pulls it over the nest and starts pecking at the tail end !!
083 pecks at a fin - watching him it appears he has still to master self feeding??
11:41 083 just stands
11:45 33 approaches the nest
33 collects the fish and 083 makes his way to him wanting fed
33 does not feed 083 but immediately flies off with the fish
083 left alone on the nest
083 and 081 still to have fish.
Couple of great helicopters from 083
again 2 minutes later
and then a rest!!
12:45 33 returns to the nest with the fish closely followed by Maya who takes the fish
top cam freezing/going down
12:46 Maya feeds 083
12:49 33 flies off. Maya continues to feed 083
12:56 083 turns away and wipes his beak. Maya feeds herself.
© LRWT