MANTON BAY - AUGUST 2023 to end of FEBRUARY 2024

Continued from Manton Bay - July 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 has laid four eggs - Apr 4 @ 15:52, April 7 @ 09:04, April 10 @ 07:03 and April 13 @ 08:08.  38 days later on May 12 @ 08:18 the first chick hatched followed by chick #2 on May 14 @ 06:36 and chick #3 was first seen @ 05:45 on May 17.  Chick #4 hatched on May 18 @ 18:53 and not long after a live fish was delivered to the nest causing havoc and the little chick died the following morning.   On June 24, the chicks were ringed – Blue 3H3(F), Blue 3H4(M) and Blue 3H5(F) and their vitals can found here.   On 3 July @ 09:24 Blue 3H3 fledged followed by Blue 3H5 on 6 July @ 10:23 and Blue 3H4 on 9 July @ 06:12.

© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust 

And now the month has come when one by one the chicks, who have been spending their days strengthening their wings and practicing their flying skills readying themselves for the epic journey that lies ahead, will set off south.  But they are well prepared having had the best possible start in life under the care and protection of their fantastic parents, Maya and Blue 33(11).   But until that day comes, let’s enjoy their time with us.

  • A visitor on the nest while 3H3 is having breakfast.. 5H8..
    And Maya is there too, totally relaxed about it

  • Meanwhile... 33 is fattening up everyone for the big journey (3H4 just finished eating the first one from an hour before)

  • Latest from Rutland (earlier reported by Bart)

    It is really nice to see no concern shown from Maya and reminds me this was her same reaction back in 2011 when 33 joined her off springs on the nest.

  • some random captures

    06:50  3H3 tucks into a large fish

    07:05  Maya joins her

    07:20  3h3 flies off and Maya grabs the fish 

    07:34  3H4 arrives and calling - 

    close up of him

    08:27  3H4 is tucking in - mum brought the fish back 

    10:46  3H4 on the nest with the fish

    6:59  3H4 again on the nest

    17:36   3H4 Back and calling

    18:22  more calling from 3H4

    couple of close ups of him

    © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust 

  • Strange.. 3H4 on the nest, 3H3 lands and he attacks his sister.. Is there something in the air? Strange things happening today (Loch garten I mean)


  • 05:19 3H4 on the nest and waiting on breakfish

    06:24  33 approaches

    07:18  3H3 on the nest too, waiting

    07:35  3H3 has the fish as 3H4 cleans his beak

    Maya arrives

    07:55  Maya has left and 3H3 takes off with the fish!!

    © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust 

     

  • 09:32  3H4 returns and has a lie down - so like his dad lol

    © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust 

  • Morning all - marvellous fishing display from 33 in the bay hovering and dropping to the base of a T post then into short reeds and pulled out the fish and into the poplars. 3H3 on the T post was taking this all in ,- bit of tuition really. Caught at 10.50.
    No sign of 3H5 by the way - not seen by Centre or anyone since last Friday so seems to have left - bit premature but you never know.