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.

  • And Rutland also think they are an extraordinary pair  Grinning

  • Both still here

    © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust 

  • I wonder if one of the reasons they are in no hurry to leave is not just that the fish are plentiful but that the weather will be good. It's far enough south that the warmth should last for weeks, even when August is over.

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • No sign of Maya so far

    catch up and some captures of 33

    05:43  33 

    06:28  33 again

    08:41

    close up

    10:04  33 just looks around - I think Maya has gone

    another close up taken at 10:04

    10:20  

    10:21  off he flies

    11:39  back again

    © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust 

  • 11:38  intruder around, 33 wing flaps

    and another lands - looks like a "X",  it's Maya 

    both defending

    off they fly

  • 11:55  33 is back on the nest

    12:07  

    12:08  off he goes

    © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust 

  • 12:50  33 has spent another brief spell on the nest

    and off 

    © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust 

  • Juvie Intruder on the nest.. Maya and 33 chase her away

  • 05:55  33 on the nest as the sun rises

    © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust