Continued from Manton Bay - May 2022
Details about the Manton Bay nest can be found on the season’s opening post
The season so far: Maya returned 15 March @ 10:21 & Blue 33(11) on 21 March @ 17:29Egg #1 laid 31 March @ c 23:30 & hatched 09 May @ 23:02Egg #2 laid 03 April @ 18:31 & hatched 10 May @ 12:30Egg #3 laid 06 April @ 20:30 & hatched 12 May @ 08:24
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
Under the careful care and protection of Maya and 33(11), all three chicks have thrived and later this month we will learn more about them when ringing takes place.
catch up:
Maya still sleeping with the chicks overnight
07:57 33 arrives with breakfish which Maya grabs and checks get in line
07:59 33 flies off as #1 and #2 squabble
Maya keeps hold of the fish which is flapping and #1 shows more aggression to #2
#1 now showing aggression to #3.
#2 and #3 submission pose and #1 gets fed
08:12 few minutes later, all is well and all three being fed. Just their way sorting out the pecking order
not a great light, but close up of chicks feeding
09:00 all chicks full and snoozing off their fish
catch up cont
09:07 unseen intruder. 33 arrives to protect his family
33 stays for a few minutes mantling and wing flapping before flying off
nice close up of the chicks who remained close to Maya
09:28 33 returns
makes his way in among the chicks
and collects the fish
33 flies off. Maya takes a quick comfort break
but soon back standing watch as they explore the nest
10:10 33 returns with the fish
10:09 another feed underway
11:37 scene just now
off for a bit now - SYL
capture of chicks' feather development
Note the cross shape on the middle chick's head !!
13:54 another top up!
soon #3 joins it siblings and all three getting fish
14:14 The chicks are full but Maya continues to stuff fish into them lol
17:00 Fish!
33 arrives with dinner
chicks gather round and Maya begins to dish up the fish
and soon all full and snoozing