No sign of the third egg hatching yet- could today be the day or is it a dud?
Yesterday was brilliant veiwing with lots of tender loving care of the chicks from mum and a record breaking fish delivery by our male at about 8pm- by far the largest fish he has brought in and a nice ‘blue’ trout to boot.
We are also seeing the first signs of sibling rivalry on the nest between the two chicks, but this is entirely normal. Commonly it is at this age that the chicks squabble to establish their ‘pecking order’, which is crucial in minimising fights over every mouthful of food and more serious battles. Though it looks awful, real damage is rarely done and in fact this is an important stage in the chicks developement. The dominant chick will always thereafter be fed first, but the less senior one will still get its share of food as long as there isn’t a drastic shortage. Keep up the great work dad so that won’t happen!
Emma Rawling
Perthshire Ranger