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
Thank you Karen, BFN
20:56 Just checked in to find 080 eating the tail end of the fish
20:58 He tried to swallow the tail but didn't succeed, a little too big
21:01 Still nibbling
21:09 Nearly all gone
21:11 Finished and cleaned his beak
21:12 ENS
©L&RWT
C ROP
Thanks Alison.
And perhaps this is a good time to mention that Rutland need our help.
They have launched a Webcam Appeal and need to raise £15,000 for vital improvements to their webcam system to stream live footage of the Manton Bay nest.
Click here to access their FB post to read more
And here to access their the appeal page on their website to donate
Both cams back up!
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
And now, we just need one of the family to appear.
Maya and two juveniles on the nest just now
Maya flies off as I type
33 arrives with a large stick
And 33 flies off