ESTONIA Pärnu county (Kergu + Kerli)

[Madli]

continuation

Wow, these necks are thick!


Kerli covers the chicks and occasionally digging the nest and changing her position.

[Madli]

Good night dear Kerli and the little ones.


4rt egg didn't hatch today. I still believe that it is not viable (anymore). Probably this is the best outcome for the others to have better chances.

Good night everyone!

[Madli]

I received info about Kerli that her feeding areas were about 17 km away from the nest before she came home in the evening (20.03). She brought a lot of food so I was curious where did she get that amount.

[Madli]

May 31

1st chick-7 days old ;
2nd chick-6 days old;
3rd chick- 4 days old

4th egg is 34 days old (not viable)

FEEDINGS: 12
Kergu: 8
Kerli: 4

OTHER EVENTS:
A strange stork landed on the nest tree at 11.23!

[Madli]

Hello to everyone.

05.13 Kergu is back. Kerli greets him and flies away.


05.14 FEEDING(1) There are 2 very big fish and some little fish. Chicks can't eat the big fish yet, they find the smaller pieces but overall it was not a good breakfast.


Kergu eats the fish and covers the chicks.

[Madli]

05.28 Kergu really wants to feed the chicks again. He regurgitates 3 large fish that are way too big for the little ones ! And they are not yet soft enough to tear off little pieces of meat.
Kergu eats the fish and covers chicks.

I'm glad to see that Kergu is an excellent hunter and knows some good feeding areas, but he needs to bring smaller stuff now

06.14 FEEDING(2) At first, Kergu offers the same 3 big fish, chicks still can't eat them. Then he regurgitates a small piece of something, no.3 eats it. At least it's something..

[Madli]

07.12 FEEDING(3) Next feeding attempt. Fish is now softer. Chicks can take a few pieces.

Chicks are still quite hungry.
Kergu covers them.

I hope that by the next feeding time, the fish is "cooked" and soft to eat

08.17 FEEDING(4) Next attempt. Fish is now softer, but chicks are still confused but luckily manage to break off some meat from the bones. No.1 tries to swallow a big piece whole, with success!


Next time will be soft fish porridge!

[Madli]

09.03 FEEDING (5) No2 tries to gulp down a huge piece of fish..he can't do it yet and Kergu pulls the fish out from his throat. No.3 pecks some softer pieces of fish.

09.31 Kerli arrives!


09.32 FEEDING(6) Finally some decent food that is in correct size! There are fish and possibly frogs. All 3 eat vigorously.


09.34 Kergu arrives and brings moss.
09.36 Kergu brings dry hay
09.37 Kergu brings more material. Kerli covers the chicks.
09.39 More material
09.40 Kergu brings a twig.
09.43 Kergu brings moss.
09.45 More material.
09.49 Kergu brings a twig
09.52 Kergu brings moss.
There is a mountain of fresh material in the nest
09.58 Kergu brings moss.
10.02 A twig
10.07 Next twig
10.09 More moss

10.10 Time for bonding


Kergu is not in a hurry to leave. He preens himself.
10.19 Kergu flies away.

[Madli]

10.57 FEEDING(7) A smaller piece of food. 1 and 2 eat, 3 is behind the bigger siblings and can't reach at first but manages to take some bites too. This time, Kerli eats the leftovers quite quickly.

[Madli]

11.21 Kerli sees someone flying nearby? She looks stressed!

11.23 A stranger flies past and lands on the branch above the nest!


11.48 Two chicks peek out under Kerli's wing.
She stands up, defending!


11.50 Kerli seems more relaxed, she is digging the nest. Good PS.