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.
https://ospreycam.net
Karen W said:I am stunned as to how your post of that scrawly spider has 4 likes and my stunning capture of the magnificent Blue 33(11) only has 3
That scrawly spider took 10 times as much effort as that magnificent poser (not to say poseur) Blue33 I expect some viewers felt sorry for me, being so daft as to waste all that time
But never fear, dear Karen - the balance has been redressed
I hope that's just fish blood on his leg.
IMAGICAT
And what a lovely frame it is too thank you Scylla.
And yes, it is fish blood
05:09 33 on the nest
05:19 I think it is Maya who arrives but 33 doesn't
05:24 33 continues to act as if Maya was a stranger
both fly off and 33 returns - more posing
then some nest tidying
06:06 33 stands, guarding his territory looking around -
06:56 Maya and 33 on the nest - scanning around for the youngsters
08:16 33 keeps watch
Their work is done - they have raised three beautiful chicks and hopefully now Maya and 33 can build themselves up readying themselves for their winter vacation
Maya still here. 33 alll evening on the nest.. watching
05:27 Maya on the nest
06:01 still there -
06:07 Maya flies off
07:54 Maya is back and calling
09:23 Maya has constantly been fish calling and now prepares as 33 approaches the nest
09:23 33 arrives with a fish which Maya grabs
intruder around - both are defensive
Maya flies off with the fish
33 soon follows, ENS
I didn't have a particularly good day photographically when we visited Rutland last Sunday, but I did manage a few shots of Maya:
I'm gutted that I didn't manage any clear shots of 33 and the lovely big fish he brought to the nest that afternoon.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.