MANTON BAY - March 2024

Brief history: The nest was first occupied by White 08(97) and Green 5N(04) in 2007 who raised 2 chicks.  In 2008 they paired again but the nest failed and in 2009 it was unused.   In 2010 a new pair, Green 5R(04) and an unringed female nicknamed Mrs 5R, took up residence and over the next four years raised 11 chicks.   Green 5R(04) failed to return in 2014 and Mrs 5R paired with a new mate, Blue 28(10) and laid 3 eggs.  Blue 33(11) arrived determined to claim this nest and ousted Blue 28(10).  Blue 33(11) kicked out the eggs and spent the remainder of the season bonding with Mrs 5R who was then officially named “Maya”.   Since 2015, Maya and Blue 33(11) have paired up each year and to date have successfully raised 26 chicks. 

Copyright & Link to Webcam: © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust

Links to previous threads  can be found here 

Maya & Blue 33(11) Arrival Dates  can be found here

Manton Bay Nest Breeding Stats 2007 - Present  can be found here

Here’s wishing Maya and Blue 33(11) a safe journey home and for another successful season.

  • Fingers crossed the first eggs then chicks of the season too @MB 

  • I've more or less given up. I wont be doing a daily post however I'll continue to watch and post now and again anything significant.   

    I've only just seen this.  Noted.

  • Thu / 14 March 2024

    Fish count: Maya: 0, Blue 33(11): 1
    Fish times: 06:24

    Mating 5:25, (6:43), 7:26, 8:34

    05:41

    33 lands on the nest

    05:52

    Maya on the nest, 
    First mating

    06:24

    33 with a whole fish for Maya

    Blue 33(11) (M,Whole)
    06:43

    Maya back with a bit of fish, bonding. 
    33 reaches for the fish.. and maya gives him a kiss

    07:00

    Maya back on the nest, a bit of maintenance, she stays for an hour

    07:14

    33 with the first stick

    07:28

    33 with a big stick

    08:28

    Maya back, off and back for a bit longer, then on and off for the next couple of hours

  • So Cirrus,  Bart's info is now being copied over here!!  

    Do you think it is worth keeping this thread going ??

  • I was going to reply that the daily post doesn't work - info is still strewn here and there as it depends on whether we reply to the opening post or on the latest post. 

    This site is frustrating so in view of that I was thinking perhaps a summary post each evening would maybe work  but I now feel why bother?

    Bart has developed a website which actually I was annoyed and objected to my info being copied over without even the courtesy of being asked.  

    And now Cirrus is copying his info over here!   

    So why bother -  perhaps this thread is now redundant

  • 14 MARCH - 10:14  FISH & BLUE 25(10) ARRIVES

    10:13  33 approaches with a fish

    10:14  Blue 25 joins them

    It's her - Welcome back Blue 25(10)

    Maya flaps and 25 soon takes off 

    10:17  Maya eventually gets the fish

    .

    Video:  Blue 25(10) follows Blue 33(11) with his fish back to Manton Bay Nest

    .

  • Osprey with blue ring 25 landed on nest with Maya and 33 with fish

  • Wonderful!!!  It's amazing all three return around the same time each year.  and that she calls in to say hello!  Welcome back.

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • I fully appreciate Karen's frustration.  It's the fault of this UPGRADE.  More downgrade.  Please persevere Karen.  I hope that it will settle soon and we realise what we need to do.  Perhaps we could have a DAILY post within the thread, for action only on the nest.  Not for general comment like this.  So perhaps anything further today to report should go as a reply to Karen's news of the splendid arrival of female 25.  News all in one post.  With Alison on Poole also frustrated with the confusion, and saying she will leave, I would hope Karen doesn't follow suit.  Hang on in there Karen, please! x

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • My notes from last year suggest she arrived the same day last year.

    "14 March  Landed on the MB nest.  She regularly drops in to say hello on her return.  Breeds at Site C with Blue 11(10)m – since 2013"

    The details of mate and breeding site may well have changed of course.  I suspect I was noting older info.

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/