Brief history of Manton Bay:
The nest was first occupied by White 08(97) and Green 5N(04) in 2007 who raised 2 chicks. In 2008 they paired again but the nest failed and in 2009 it was unused. In 2010 a new pair, Green 5R(04) and an unringed female nicknamed Mrs 5R, took up residence and over the next four years raised 11 chicks. Green 5R(04) failed to return in 2014 and Mrs 5R paired with a new mate, Blue 28(10) and laid 3 eggs. Blue 33(11) arrived determined to claim this nest and evicted Blue 28(10). Blue 33(11) kicked out the eggs and spent the remainder of the season bonding with Mrs 5R who was then officially named “Maya”. Since 2015, Maya and Blue 33(11) have returned reuniting their partnership and to date have successfully raised 23 chicks.
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
Here’s wishing Maya and Blue 33(11) a safe journey home and for another successful season.
Jaydee has posted a blog about 095 on her Keilder thread.
Blue 095(21) is looking fantastic. I'm not surprised she has made it back as what a bossy girl she was. But she was a survivor and she's made it.
I remember her as if it was yesterday chasing her brother from the nest and what a job he had getting fish. She wouldn't let him land without attacking and even 33 and Maya gave her a wide berth. But we learned something valuable that year from LAM that the adults can and do feed their offsprings off the nest as they were seen feeding their son, Blue 096(21) on the nearby perches.
Yes, 095 completely took over the Manton Bay nest and I wouldn't be one bit surprised if she claims this Keilder nest.
But good luck to her - I wish her every success.
Afternoon ALL
Still looks quite chilly on Rutland Water. Hopefully the mercury will start rising soon especially as we approach hatch.
Meantime 33 and Maya have continued changing places incubating the eggs.
10:33 33 arrives with a large headless fish
33 flew off followed by Maya with the fish
but 33 returned quickly taken over while Maya had her fish
12:34 Maya returned with fish in talon leaving it on the nest
12:56 Maya took off again
12:57 33 settles down with the fish at his back
13:32 Maya, after a bath, returns
and takes over once again
14:03 33 collects the fish
and flew off with it
14:20 present - Maya continues to incubate
15:26 33 incubating and Maya returns, landing on the fish with some hay
15:27 Maya doesn't stay and instead takes off with the fish
33 can only watch
but soon settles down doing what he loves most
16:42 Maya returns
change over
17:12 33 returns with a stick
I think he is trying to block us lol
perfect couple
another change over
33 now incubating
raining again - what a miserable time it has been for Maya and 33 but what wonderful dedicated adults they are keeping those eggs dry and warm.
Fingers crossed this is Rutland's summer rainfall and the next few months ahead are warm, dry and sunny as the weather plays such a crucial role for any nest but more so with a brood of four!!
33 arrives, Maya rises and shakes the water off herself
she soon flies off and 33 takes over