Link to first page opener - here
Link to May 2023 - here
Recap:-
LJ2 returned 31 March 2023
LM6 returned 4 April 2023
Egg No. 1 laid 20 April - Hatched 27 May (37 days)
Egg No. 2 laid 23 April - Hatched 29 May (36 days)
Egg No. 3 laid 26 April - Hatched 1 June (37 days)
LM6 LJ2
So far so good! The first 2 chicks are doing well, the 3rd just hatched this morning.
Next fish was brought in at 11.55.
LJ2 landed on the nest, LM6 was silent. She made no attempt to collect the fish. Chick #1 went over calling.
It started pecking at the fish.LJ2 started feeding #1 and LM6 flew off.
#2 approached LJ2 as well
LM6 shortly returned, LJ2 moved the fish along a bit. #2 started pecking at the side of the fish.
LJ2 continued to feed #1 and #2 started to get pieces as well. LM6 still made no attempt to take the fish.
12.04 LM6 finally moved in to take the fish as LJ2 changed position but he held on to it.
LM6 followed LJ2 over the nest, she approached again, he offered her a piece of fish.
LM6 tentatively tried to take the fish again but was unsuccessful. The chicks wandered over to LJ2 and he started feeding them again.
LJ2’s feeding skills are not nearly as efficient as LM6’s. He is slower and takes more for himself in between mouthfuls for the chicks.
LM6 found some pieces of fish dropped and picked those up to feed the chicks.
LJ2 brought the fish around the nest to eat whilst LM6 fed the chicks off the scraps. It was 12.26 before he allowed LM6 to finally take the fish.
Normal service has resumed!
I don’t know what’s going on with LJ2 now that he’s wanting to do so much feeding! I remember last year he started feeding the chicks now and then, especially Gelert,
once he was older. It’s started a lot earlier this year. LJ2 is still a young bird himself (2018, as is LM6) and only their second year of parenting so he’s developing into the job as he goes!
A long wait until the next fish which LJ2 delivered at 19.39.
The fish flapped all over the chicks on landing.
LM6 was very excited to receive the fish and squeezing at LJ2 as she took it off him.
The fish broke free and landed beside the chicks again.
LM6 retrieved it.The chicks got a good feed, finishing at 20.10.
20.28 LM6 picked up the fish again and gave the chicks another feed (hidden).
A couple of minutes Into the feed, LM6 stopped and looked around. A man’s voice could be heard on a walk-in talkie or something.
She carried on feeding after this.
Looks like #1 is the only chick feeding.
LJ2 flew to the nest perch at 22.19. That should be him settled for the night.
Friday 16 June
Good afternoon LJ2 left the perch at 04.11 this morning.
05.47 LM6 left for a comfort break, Good morning chicks. Whilst on another break, LJ2 arrived at the perch. 07.08
LM6 returned soon after. The birds exchanged contact calls.
07.29 LJ2 flew off over the water and round to the right past the trees.
07.49 LJ2 returned with a chunky stick.
The birds all did a bit of preening, except #1. (Closest to cam)
LJ2 left at 07.55 and returned at 08.13 with a fine fish.
I don’t think LM6 knows what to do with LJ2’s urge to feed the chicks now. She cagily tried to approach with soft contact calls.
The chicks approached LJ2 as well.
LM6 followed LJ2 as he moved the fish.
LJ2 started the feed.
LM6 decided to take the fish and pulled with her beak. LJ2 held firm and it was a bit of a tug o war with LM6 the victor.
LM6 walked the fish around the nest.
LJ2 looked to see where his fish was as LM6 started the feed.
As #1 was being fed, #2 got confused and went over to LJ2 for food.
LM6 took the fish on another walk around the nest.
LJ2 flew off and LM6 started the feed properly at 08.27The feed finished at 08.35.
09.15 Another feed from LM6.
10.11 LJ2 collected the fish and left with it.
He returned at 10.30 after having a short feed.
LJ2 took the fish to the side and started eating it. He then tried to offer pieces to the resting chicks.
LM6 moved in and took the fish
The chicks didn’t come over so she took the fish to the chicks. #1 was asking LJ2 to be fed.
LM6 gave up on the feed. LJ2 flew off . LM6 tried the feed again. #1 came over showing interest.
#2 came over too and both chicks ate.
LM6 gave the chicks another feed just before 12.00 and the last of the fish was finished off.
13.33 LJ2 landed on the nest. LM6 started mantling and intruder chipping.
LJ2 stayed for a short while then flew off. LM6 continued mantling and chipping for a few more minutes then stopped. The intruder must’ve passed.
The chicks have stayed close to LM6 for a lot of the day.
I can’t see that another fish has been delivered since this morning’s one. Here is LJ2 on the nest at 20.48. LM6 and the chicks are all asking for fish.
Hope he’s not injured again. LJ2 flies to the perch at 22.17 to roost for the night.
We’ll see what tomorrow brings.