Recap:-
LJ2 returned 31 March 2023
LM6 returned 4 April 2023
Egg No. 1 laid 20 April
Egg No. 2 laid 23 April
Egg No. 3 laid 26 April
First hatch date due around 27 May
Link to March/April 2023
08.55 LM6 returns with a clump of mulch
A few contact calls with gentle persuasion and LM6 gets back onto the eggs.
10.00 and LJ2 decides it’s his turn for incubation again.
LM6 is protesting. LJ2 deploys his tactics of a gentle push on the wing
Reluctantly LM6 gets up and goes and she tells him that.
LJ2 sits on the eggs. Where has our lovely morning sun gone?
The birds changed places again and LM6 was then treated to an early lunch.
11.41 LJ2 flew in with a small headless pike.
LM6 called and called from the nest before she got up to receive the fish.
Fish secured in her talons, off LM6 flies with the dangling fish.
12.10 LJ2 is in the middle of doing his housework
and LM6 returns holding the fish tail tightly in her right talons.
She lands and starts to eat it on the nest.
LM6 makes continuous soft contact calls as she eats and LJ2 incubates. After a short while, she swallows the tail.
LM6 approaches LJ2, he starts to get up off the eggs
then sees a bit of housework he’d missed
fixes that then settles down again.
It’s become quite blustery on the nest and LM6 sort of lost her footing and slid/was blown down into LJ2
As LM6 knocked into LJ2, he got up, which allowed LM6 to take the incubation position.
LJ2 then left the nest, not having to do much flapping as the wind lifted him into the air.
Monday 15th May
Good afternoon I have the use of my Rich Formatting again so can resume with the photos!
LM6 went for a quick comfort break at 02.00.
Suddenly, just before 03.00, she stood up silently and raised her wings, making herself look as big as she could. She was warning something off. I suspect the tawny owl who paid a visit last night.
The rest of the night seemed to go peacefully, I didn’t see the tawny owl.
04.41 LJ2 came to the nest to relieve LM6
Day cam on 4 minutes later at 04.45 with LJ2 on the eggs.
LM6 went for her morning freshen up on the preening perch whilst LJ2 incubated their eggs.
She returned to the nest at 05.50. What beautiful colours reflecting on the water from the morning sunrise.
08.00 LJ2 landed on the perch. LM6 started asking for fish.
LJ2 opted for sitting on the eggs instead
LM6 flew off to the right then appeared from under the nest flying out over the water.
LM6 was back very shortly at 08.07 to take over incubation again.
LJ2 returned at 08.39
LJ2 tried very hard to get onto the eggs but LM6 stuck firm and sent him off for a fish.
11.58 LJ2 arrived at the perch
LM6 was calling and LJ2 flew off the perch and flew past the nest and landed on the other side.
LM6 was ready for the wee break this time and got up and left, leaving LJ2 to tend to the eggs.
12.09 LM6 flew in from over the water.
She landed on the nest and started moving nesting material around.
Until LJ2 got up and LM6 got to where she wanted to be.
14.14 LJ2 arrives. LM6 tells him she was expecting a fish before they swap places.
14.35 LM6 returns to take over incubation.
15.00 She’s currently there, looking a wee bit sleepy.