Continued from Manton Bay May 2023
Details about the Manton Bay nest can be found on the season’s opening post.
The season so far: Blue 33(11) returned March 16 @ 12:58 and Maya on March 19 @ 06:54. Maya laid four eggs - Apr 4 @ 15:52, April 7 @ 09:04, April 10 @ 07:03 and April 13 @ 08:08. On May 12 @ 08:18 the first chick hatched followed by chick #2 @ 06:36 on May 14 and chick #3 was first seen @ 05:45 on May 17. Chick #4 hatched @ 18:53 on May 18 but unfortunately a live fish was delivered to the nest causing havoc and the little chick died the following morning. Chicks #1, #2 and #3 have thrived under the careful protection of Maya and Blue 33(11) who also has been a fantastic provider for his family.
Later this month the chicks will be ringed and we will learn more about them.
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
17:25 still feasting!
close up
17:30 Feed over and 33 arrives for his share
and off he goes
and Maya cleans up as the chicks rest after their fish dinner
Maya flies off, most likely to clean her talons
Close up of the chicks
This behaviour is why I think 33 is one of the best providers around.
The head is the most nutritious part and usually eaten by the male but 33 delivers the whole fish and waits until his family have eaten first then comes and takes his share.
33 is really is one of the best.
18:44 more fish
Settled down for the night
Morning ALL
quick scroll back to see what has been happening -
01:54 all fine over night - Maya still sleeping with the chicks
04:36 33 arrives with breakfish
05:42 chicks still being fed
06:13 intruder about
Maya gives chase - chicks lie flat and quiet
Maya soon returns and all seems ok
08:29 33 arrives with a large headless fish
can see blood at 33's throat
most likely from the fish - need to monitor him as he comes in
08:33 feed gets underway
08:57 33 returns and mantling - unseen intruder
09:02 33 settles and Maya tidies up
09:21 33 flies off - still to see his throat but he certainly looks to be ok
09:38 Maya stands guard as the chicks snooze
09:49 she grabs the fish and enjoys some herself
and soon the chicks are up
and the chicks get another top up
10:12 present - chicks full and turned away looking out on the world while Maya eats some more
wing stretch !!
One from last night...Maya had torn a long piece of skin during the evening feed, but it was still attached to the fish... AND Maya..As 33 took the fish from the nest he dragged Maya along...
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