Pärnu county (Kergu + Kerli) / Must-toonekurg 3

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]

previous day (09.08) viewtopic.php?p=63449#p63449
next day (11.08)

August 10
Hello everyone

CHICKS
- 1st chick: 57 days old (hatched on 14.06)

EGGS
unhatched (laid on 13.05 at 22:22 and 16.05 at 02:05)

Stork chicks grow exponentially. 90 days in the nest is like 18-21 years for humans. This means that 1 day in the nest is like almost 3 months for a human child. That is why their transformation is so amazing and fast.

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Info on the late nesting:
- viewtopic.php?p=57312#p57312
- viewtopic.php?p=57325#p57325
- viewtopic.php?p=57342#p57342

[marika.solo]

For our storklet (the late-hatched chick now 56 days old), the decisive factor will be
1/ whether the adults continue to find sufficient food and
2/ whether parental care continues to take precedence over the increasing drive to migrate.

KERGU left for migration
2022 - 12.08 ( 2 chick)
2023 - 29.07 (no nesting)
2024 - 30.07 (no nesting)
2025 - 11.08 (3 chicks still on the nest, but already fledglings approx. 1 week)

KERLI left for migration
2024 - 22.07 (no nesting)
2025 - 16.08 (3 chicks still on the nest, but already fledglings approx. 2 weeks)

1/ Chicks become capable of flight at 68–72 days of age (maiden flight). The timing of the maiden flight depends on several factors. (Urmas Sellis)

- Estimated MAIDEN FLIGHT (68–72 days): 19–22 Aug for our storklet.

2/ By tracking 35 tagged chicks, Polish researchers found that young storks left the nest permanently at an average age of 87 days, with the latest departure recorded at 108 days. Before their definitive departure for migration, fledglings usually fly within an average distance of about 200 m from the nest. As they grow older, this distance gradually increases to about 500 m. (Dr Anderwald)

- Estimated DEFINITIVE DEPARTURE (87 days): 8 Sep for our storklet.

3/ Survival is higher in chicks that remain at the nest for a longer period after fledging. They gradually become independent while still receiving food from their parents. For another 2–4 weeks after the maiden flight, they may return to the nest to rest or spend the night. (Dr Strazds)

- Estimated end of the regular post-fledging nest period (about 2 weeks after the maiden flight): 2 Sep for our storklet.

4/ During the post-fledging period, young storks mainly practise flying, landing and manoeuvring close to the nest. According to Prof. Zieliński, they learn to locate feeding sites and forage independently only after their definitive departure from the nest during migration.

[marika.solo]

youtube chat info - thx to everyone
YouTube comments do not reflect all nest events throughout the day, including chick feedings; therefore, the log is unfortunately incomplete.

Nest Activity Log 10/08/2026 (in the evening - whole day)
Log compiled from chat observations and structured with the assistance of Gemini AI.

Events Timeline

MORNING / FORENOON

• 06:14:54 - 06:23:20 – The chick vocalises from a resting position without standing.
• 08:33:04 – The chick flaps its wings in exercise.
• 10:17:00 – The chick manipulates an unhatched egg in the nest structure using its bill.
• 10:17:25 – The chick practices wing-flapping and jumping.
• 11:49:00 – The chick begins begging vocalisations.
• 11:50:19 – FEEDING 1: Male parent Kergu arrives and regurgitates food (including frogs) for the chick.
• 11:50:54 – Kergu departs the nest.

AFTERNOON / EVENING

• 13:50:34 – Distant cracking sounds recorded on the audio feed due to strong winds in the surrounding forest.
• 13:57:35 – Further timber-cracking noises recorded; the chick reacts with alertness.
• 14:33:56 – The chick pooped in the nest.
• 14:36:40 - 14:41:00 – The chick jumps vertically and flaps its wings vigorously off the nest rim.
• 14:47:17 – The chick pooped in the nest.
• 15:55:00 – The chick shows an alert posture towards an external stimulus.
• 16:14:00 – Vocalisation from the chick in response to a flying bird outside camera range.

• 16:26:00 – The chick begins intense begging.
• 16:27:00 – FEEDING 2: Male parent Kergu arrives and delivers food (fish and frogs).

• 18:03:00 – Rain begins at the nest site.
• 20:44:00 – Brief begging vocalisations from the chick during continued rainfall.
Btw. it is raining cats and dogs (at 23:15 camera time)

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SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS
• Total of 2 feedings recorded during the day, both delivered by the male parent Kergu (11:50:19 and 16:27:00).
• The chick engaged in wing-flapping, jumping, and bill-play exercises in the nest throughout the day.
• Strong wind gusts were recorded during the afternoon, resulting in distant forest structural sounds (falling trees/branches).
• Rain began in the early evening around 18:03 and escalated into heavy rainfall by nightfall.

[marika.solo]

11:49 feeding by KERGU

[marika.solo]

16:27 feeding by KERGU

- 16:14:41 begging display (it is very windy)
- 16:26:56 Kergu landing
- feeding/2 portion: nice fish + more frogs (most probably frogs)
- 16:27:26 Kergu out
- communication with the parent stork ends at 16:28:45

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]