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
11.37 LM6 starts calling. She has seen LJ2 land on a tree in front of her. He is soon chased by corvids and flies past the nest carrying fish.
He swoops round back to the trees
LM6 can see him here.
After a minute or 2 he flies off again towards the nest
LM6 is calling excitedly but LJ2 goes under the nest and away. All becomes quiet as LM6 waits on LJ2’s return after he has eaten.
12.43 LM6 gets her fish delivery.
LJ2 cleans his beak against a stick then moves over to the eggs and settles down.
Sunday 21st May
Good morning I missed the rest of yesterday on the nest but managed to find a second fish delivery for LM6 at 20.19.
It was a bit of a pull for LM6
but she finally managed to take the fish.
Karen W said:Morning Glider and thanks for all these wonderful updates. When is the first egg due to hatch here? Wouldn't think it is too far away??
Good morning Karen, you’re very welcome. Today is day 31 and on Saturday the 27th, it’ll be day 37, so am looking around then for the first hatch. It seems like they’ve been sitting on the eggs forever!!
Looking back, LJ2 sat on the perch at the nest from 22.19 to 23.07 last night.
LM6 took her usual minute’s comfort break at 02.19
returning to the perch then the nest.
Day cam came in at 04.34. LM6 on the nest and LJ2 could be seen on a tree top in front.
LJ2 flew to another tree at 04.41.
LM6 called quietly but LJ2 started preening. She waited and watched.
05.10 LM6 called again for LJ2, he responded.
A few minutes earlier, just before 05.00, this was the sky at the preening perch.
LM6 arrives around 05.10
An itchy head
then down to business.
LJ2 sitting comfortably on the eggs. It’s a beautiful, peaceful morning, a bird can be heard singing nearby.
07.30 LJ2 looked over towards LM6 on the preening perch. He chipped then flew off.
Within seconds, LM6 flew onto the nest at speed. One of her talons landed in the middle of the eggs, rolling them apart.
Quick check, all looks welland she settled down.
LM6 sat until 09.18 when she got up off the eggs. She called for LJ2. She had a scratch and a bit of a preen, calling intermittently. She looked for her mate then after 2 or 3 minutes LM6 flew off.
Less than half a minute later, LJ2 flew onto the nest to take over incubation.
LM6 flies straight to the preening perch. The water is so still today.
Been a quiet day on the nest. The birds have been sharing incubation duties.
Early to mid afternoon
LM6 airing the eggs whilst preening and stretching
She’s also been preening and stretching on the perch
LJ2 has been doing the same.
Around 17.26 LM6 looks up above then starts intruder chipping, mantling and flapping
After LM6 sits down again, sky dancing can be heard. She looks up
It only lasts a few minutes then things settle down again.
I have no idea where LJ2 is unless he’s been chasing intruders. LM6 has been on the nest for hours now.
I last saw LJ2 just before 15.00 when he finished incubation and swapped with LM6.
It’s now 21.48 and LM6 is still waiting on him bringing her first fish of the day.