Cont from April 2025
The Season so far: Blue 33(11) arrived back 13 March and Maya on 17 March. Maya laid 4 eggs - Egg #1 on 2 April @ 17:42, #2 on 5 April @ 09:43, #3 on 8 April @ 05:00 and #4 on 11 April @ 08:47.
Around mid May we should see the first egg hatch and until then both adults will takes turns incubating their precious eggs.
How quickly they develop, had to look back to remind myself of hatching dates ... 10th/11th/14th/17th, amazing only 4 days between #1 and #3 and so different ... Maya & 33 working so well
Many thanks for all updates!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Morning ALL - yes only a few days but the size difference is astonishing.
06:52 Maya grabs and fish and starts dishing out some breakfish
#4 is still so small but its getting plenty fish
07:12 33 arrives with a fresh fish
33 eats side of nest while the chicks sleep
Maya moves round picking up bits and both adults offer fish to one beak
17:36 Maya flies off and 33 follows with the fish
07:56 Maya spreads her protective wings around the chicks
08:21 Maya takes another break leaving the chicks for a bit
close up
08:25 Maya soon returns with a clod of something. She stands, preening watching over the chicks and then gets beside them
08:50 Fish
Another feed underway
#4 doing ok
the older chick at the back is picking up bits of fish
09:09 33 arrives with another FISH
starts removing the head
09:14 33 continues to dehead - its still living so pleased 33 has a hold of it. Meantime the chicks are lining up wanting some
And 33 feeds the chicks
Well done 33
so far 33 is just reaching one chick
the others aren't too bothered, they're still full and soon older chick turns away. 33 finishes, leaves the fish and Maya to clean up!!
10:19 Maya giving the chicks a top up
So lovely to see all is well. Thank you Karen for fab updates.
Thank you Glider - yes looking good. Just hope weather holds till the little ones are up a bit as becoming a bundle for Maya to shelter.
Wednesday 21 May catch up - some random captures from the day (just doing one post - times are on captures)
Morning ALL
05:57 33 stands watch
06:39 Live FISH
06:41 33 releases it, it flaps towards the chicks
06:42 flaps into cup onto the chicks. 33 tries but is unsuccessful pulling it out
holding my breath as fish flaps again
little one facing up its sibling - now is not a good time!
06:48 Maya waits - all chicks are up and ok
06:49 Maya attempts to pull the fish, it flaps again
06:50 Maya has a hold of it and breakfish gets underway. Maya keeps her back to us blocking the view.
07:01 Short feed, if any, as Maya covers the chicks
07:47 Maya feeds the chicks
3 and #4 in good positions and getting fish
33 flies off - feed continues
08:06 feed over
09:38 chicks snooze as Maya arranges sticks 33 brought in earlier
off out now - SYL
11:34 FISH
chicks line up to be fed
Just in case not seen...very sadd
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