Link to season’s opening post here
Link to June 2023 here
RECAP
Flora HK0 arrived 30 March 2023
Harry (unringed) arrived 4 April 2023
EGG No. 1 laid 15 April - Hatched 21 May (37 days)
EGG No. 2 laid 18 April - Hatched 23 May (36 days)
EGG No. 3 laid 21 April - Hatched 25 May (35 days)
FAMILY PORTRAIT
Our 3 thriving chicks almost adult sized with Harry and Flora. As of 01/07/23 the chicks are 42, 40 and 38 days old.
And the chicks faces (with Flora)
All captures and videos ©️ SSEN Transmission
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 againFlora 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.
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.