Jõgeva County (new nest -2025) / Must-toonekurg 2

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previous day (22.07)
next day (24.07)

July 23
Hello everyone

CHICKS () ()
- 1st chick: 60 days old (hatched late evening 24.05)
- 2nd chick: 59 days old (hatched early morning 25.05)
- 3rd chick: 59 days old (hatched afternoon 25.05)
Brood reduction by male
- 4th chick: 20 days old (hatched late evening 26.05)
- 5th chick: 17 days old (hatched afternoon 28.05)

prof. Zielinski (youtube chat info):
The direct cause was that male brought an insufficient amount of food, resulting in nutritional stress, which is the biological trigger that prompts adult birds to start the process of brood reduction.

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.

[marika.solo]

Time-Line

08:14 — The male parent arrives at the nest carrying a branch/twig and places it in the nest.
08:20 — The male parent departs after perching on a nearby branch.

08:20 – 16:30 — [Data gap in chat records]

16:30 — First Feeding (Male): The male parent delivers a small portion of food to the hungry chicks.

18:19 — Second Feeding (Male): The male parent returns carrying another branch for the nest structure and delivers a feeding.

19:41 — Third Feeding (Male): The male parent arrives and delivers a single large fish.

19:41 – Evening — The three chicks remain alone at the nest. No female parent visits were recorded during the day.

Discussion

Key Insights & Background Context

Eldest Chick Age (60 Days):
At 60 days old, the eldest chick is reaching the lower threshold of fledging age (typically 60–73 days). At this stage, wing-exercise frequency increases significantly as the young storks prepare for their maiden flights.

Parental Provisioning & Nest Maintenance:
Delivering nest material (twigs/branches) alongside food deliveries remains a common behaviour for adult males even late in the nesting season, helping maintain nest stability as the heavy chicks move around actively.

Female Absence & Single-Parent Provisioning:
The absence of the female parent throughout the day suggests she may already be spending extended periods away from the nest or preparing for early migration, leaving the male to undertake the primary feeding duties.

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]

previous day (23.07)
next day (25.07)

July 24
Hello everyone

CHICKS () ()
- 1st chick: 61 days old (hatched late evening 24.05)
- 2nd chick: 60 days old (hatched early morning 25.05)
- 3rd chick: 60 days old (hatched afternoon 25.05)
Brood reduction by male
- 4th chick: 20 days old (hatched late evening 26.05)
- 5th chick: 17 days old (hatched afternoon 28.05)

prof. Zielinski (youtube chat info):
The direct cause was that male brought an insufficient amount of food, resulting in nutritional stress, which is the biological trigger that prompts adult birds to start the process of brood reduction.

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.

[marika.solo]

Nest Activity Log 24/7/2026

10:34 – The chicks are lying side by side, preening each other's feathers.
10:53 – Rain at the nest.

12:37:06 – The female arrives at the nest.
12:37:21 – Feeding by the female (a small amount of food delivered).
12:37:34 – The female departs from the nest.

16:46 – The male arrives and feeds the chicks (delivered one large fish, eaten by M).

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]

previous day (24.07)
next day (26.07)

July 25
Hello everyone

CHICKS () ()
- 1st chick: 62 days old (hatched late evening 24.05)
- 2nd chick: 61 days old (hatched early morning 25.05)
- 3rd chick: 61 days old (hatched afternoon 25.05)
Brood reduction by male
- 4th chick: 20 days old (hatched late evening 26.05)
- 5th chick: 17 days old (hatched afternoon 28.05)

prof. Zielinski (youtube chat info):
The direct cause was that male brought an insufficient amount of food, resulting in nutritional stress, which is the biological trigger that prompts adult birds to start the process of brood reduction.

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.

[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 25/07/2026 (in the evening - whole day)
Log compiled from chat observations and structured with the assistance of Gemini AI.

Events Timeline

draft version is prepared already

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