ALYTH JULY 2023

Saturday 1 July

This morning Flora got a slap on the head from an outstretched wing!

Then Flora spotted something and started to call

She left the nest

The chicks were soon up and active

05.11 calling was heard, like a sky dancing call, then Flora arrived at the nest. She went straight into defence mode.

An intruder was circling the nest

It came in close. Unringed by the looks of it.

Round the nest again

Flora defended valiantly, helped by the middle and furthest away chick who called throughout.

Still circling

and in close again

Once more around the nest

And it seems to have flown on as Flora watches it go.

By the lack of a necklace and white colouring, I would say a young male bird. 

07.24 tiny fish delivery

Flora was calling for more just after Harry flew off. She hadn’t even started the feed!

#2 and #3 were fed. #1 didn’t join them

08.54 the next fish arrived, bigger but still small.

Flora took the fish

#1 approached Flora

and came away with the fish

then mantled over it.

#1 defended its fish as the other 2 hungry chicks got too close

#1 also pecked at Flora when she tried to take the fish.

#1 expertly pulled pieces off the fish and ate it all.

It reminded the others who the fish belonged too as they tried to snatch a morsel

It swallowed the tail at 09.45

First self feed for #1 at 42 days old.

Flora senses the weather change and comes down to lie with the chicks.

Flora goes to the left of the nest, the direction the wind and hail is coming from.

One of the chicks decides to stand, facing up to the weather.

It lays down a few minutes later.

Once the hail has passed,Flora gets up and takes a short comfort break.

On her return, she immediately calls for fish.

Many thanks for the new thread, Glider!
There was an intruder at Lowe's this morning, I wonder if it was the same one that visited here?
I couldn't see the black plastic ring on #1's ankle, thank goodness that's gone!

Thanks Sandra, you’re welcome perhaps it was the same intruder. It’s been a busy bird then!

That’s great that the black plastic ring has gone from #1. I’ve been out all day and just catching up now.

A fish delivery at 14.53. The nest was being buffeted about in gale like conditions, a difficult watch.

Another fish delivered at 17.01. The wind is just as strong, I don’t know how Harry managed that in this weather. 

These are strong chicks holding their footing in these gale conditions. A battle for the fish between #1 and Flora

Flora has the fish

then #1 takes it back.

#1 has been well fed today. Not so much the other two.

19.25 Thankfully, Harry brought another fish and Flora got it this time.

I think Flora was high charged with energy in her quest to take the fish first. She shooed Harry off and pecked at him.

A fairer feed this time with Flora in charge.

21.36 a bigger fish.

Flora manages to collect the fish

and share it between the 3 chicks.


The wind has died down a bit but still there.