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
Flora left the nest at 11.04.
At 11.24 Harry flew in with a fish. Just the chicks on the nest.
He immediately started intruder chipping on landing. The chicks were all more interested in the fish.
After 3 minutes, Harry left
#2 chick had managed to grab the fish.
Turns out it was actually a flat fish. I saw the side profile on arrival and thought it was the usual slim small fish!
#2 had a fair old battle trying to eat the fish12.25 and #2 is still trying to eat the fish when an intruder arrives. All 3 chicks are squawking like mad at the intruder. No parent is nearby.
The intruder settles in the perch for a couple of minutes. #2 tries eating the fish again but still calling. The other 2 chicks continue calling at the intruder.
12.28 The intruder, very white chest , so a young male I would say, attempts to land on the nest.
No rings so can’t be identified.
The chicks valiantly defend and the intruder leaves. Flora would be so proud!
#2 chick has carried on trying to eat the fish.
#1 is keeping a close watchful eye
12.41 #1 sees an opportunity and steals it from #2 There is still a lot of fish left to eat.
13.30 Another intruder lands on the nest. With the parents not being around the intruders are having a field day! Looks like a young female this time, what a beautiful bird. I wonder if she and the male are travelling as a couple?
She doesn’t stay long and flies off.
14.10 Harry arrives with another flat fish
Still no Flora to receive it.
One of the chicks takes the fish
Harry is on the nest for about 2 minutes looking around. He must be wondering where his partner is.
He leaves and the chicks are left to their own devices again.
A few minutes later, Flora returns. Where has she been, she’s not brought a fish?! That’s 3 hours since she left.
She sees the situation and chooses her moment to dive in and take the fish
She proceeds to feed the bird who had the fish. #2 I thinkFeed finished. I don’t think #3 got any (hunched under Flora)
Small fish delivery from Harry
Flora takes it and controls the feed although the chick nearest the camera gets the bulk. Probably #1 Edit correction, it was #2.
Feed finished.
#3 stretching it’s wings
#1 feeling the wind
#1 chick managed a little helicopter off the nest, just an inch or two but it’s a start.
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Late fish drop off from Harry. Flora off nest again. She’s away a lot now and it has been at this time of night for a few days.
One chick ran the fastest and claimed it. It definitely wasn’t #1. I’m hoping it might’ve been #3.
The chick guarded its meal well from the other two and squealed in delight the whole time.
It took until 21.51 to finish it, swallowing the tail end.
22.02 Flora returned with a tiny fish.
22.06 Flora finished off the tail. A 4 minute feed.
Thursday 6 July
04.50 Harry delivers a better sized fish than of late.
Flora takes it in the scramble
She moves the feed to the other side of the nest
05.06 one of the chicks gets the last piece. Flora announces the feed is finished, more please.
That was around a 15 minute feed.
A flat fish was delivered at 11.26
Flora was able to take it from Harry and control the feed
The fish was nearly finished when one of the chicks ( #2 I would say because it showed aggression towards Flora later) grabbed the tail.
Flora followed the chick closely but it defended the tail, warning Flora off.
After a few attempts, the chick managed to swallow the tail.