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
LM6 had been preening on the perch
18.04 she returned to the nest.
and took over incubation again.
20.30 The water is so still tonight, not a ripple, it’s reflecting the sky like a mirror. LM6 sits waiting on her supper.
20.45 LJ2 flies onto the nest. LM6 gets up but sees LJ2’s talons are empty.
LM6 flies off and returns at 21.00
21,34 night cam comes on with LM6 on the nest.
I may have missed it but I don’t think there has been a fish delivered today.
Sunday 7th May 2023
Good morning Looked like a nice calm, dry night for LM6. She was joined by LJ2 at 04.32.
He was on the nest for 10 minutes before taking over incubation at 04.42.
05.52 LJ2 gave 3 contact chips as LM6 flew onto the nest.
She had had a good old preen on the perch as the sun came up.
09.22 LM6 was calling as LJ2 arrived on the nest. I thought he must’ve been fishing as he was away for so long. Perhaps LM6 thought that too!
However, he arrived empty taloned. He was keen to get onto the eggs and quickly moved in a as LM6 arose.
LM6 flew off and settled on the post to the right at the very edge of the picture frame.
10.35 the sun has made an appearance. LJ2 sitting quite contented.
10.47 LM6 could be heard making contact calls before she flew onto the nest. She continued to call as she arrived, standing on the edge in front of LJ2.
She continued to call as she took over incubation and LJ2 flew off.
She may have sent him off fishing.11.30 LM6 sitting comfortably.
11.55 LM6 is fish calling as she sees LJ2 approach the nest.
But he arrives bearing no gifts
They swap over.
12.10 and LM6 returns to the nest.
She has a quick preen
Then they exchange places.
12.40 LM6 suddenly turns around, she hears something. I’m saying “hears” but maybe she smells something?
She looks around and starts calling
LJ2 flies in with a headless perch.
Tricky to see the handover as LJ2 obscures LM6 for the most part.
Secure in LM6’s talons
She takes away her meal.
LJ2 settles down in a position that he can see LM6 as she is on the favoured post to the right of the photo. (magnified)
Poor LM6, she had hardly been eating the fish for 5 minutes when she was swooped on by a Corvid. She let out alarm calls and LJ2 looked over.
The image of LM6 above and the Corvid below. (magnified)
You could see the frantic flying in the distance with the birds chasing each other then LM6 flew by the nest on the water side.
She headed round back to the post area where she’d been eating
She flew by the nest a second time
and landed in circled area.
Soon after, LM6 flew at speed under the nest (to the left)
LJ2 kept looking around. He was obviously seeing a lot more than us.
LM6 appeared back at the nest, fishless, at 13.02.
wanting straight back onto her eggs.
16.44 LM6 is on the nest. She sees LJ2 fly past over the water.
LJ2 arrives on the nest behind LM6. She is fish calling by now and look what he has in his talons. Well done LJ2.
LM6 continues calling from the nest cup and so LJ2 flies forward to make it easier for LM6 to collect the headless fish.
The loose piece of bark is a bit of a nuisance for them as LM6 wobbles on it and LJ2 tries to hold his balance.
LM6 takes the fish and flies up and away - not to the feeding post where she got robbed of her last one.