After a long wait since our first chick hatched this afternoon, the male finally returned to the nest mid evening with a fish. He raised our hopes early this evening by flying near the nest on a couple of occasions. However, he did not land on the nest, hence not meeting his latest offspring or realising there was now another mouth to feed. Even at this time the chick was looking peckish and mum was looking around, potentially keeping an eye out for the male’s return. The female did a good job of creating a cozy umbrella of feathers to keep the chick and remaining two eggs warm and she frequently fidgeted and looked down, checking on the chick.

The female took a few seconds break off the nest and returned to continue sheltering her chick and two eggs.

By mid evening the chick appeared to be getting rather restless, likely getting hungry. The female continued her duties of turning the remaining eggs beside her young chick before beginning to doze off, only to be rudely awoken by two crows cawing nearby.

Finally… the male returned with a half eaten fish at 21:30 and the female started calling. He walked away from his fish as she half stood and resat. He stood on the edge of the nest looking intrigued – looking down at her as she kept calling persistently. He then left through the trees most likely until morning. It is unclear whether he saw or heard his new chick – we certainly hope so – but the fish was left by the female on the side of the nest for some time at least. Hopefully our first chick will be fed very soon. Watch this space for the next installment!

Vanessa

Species Protection Officer