Karula National Park (Karl II and Kaia)

[Madli]

17.20 Karl is back. He has food still up in his throat. He is trying to shake it down


17.24 Karl notices Kaia from afar. Kaia arrives to the nest.


19.25 Both react to something. Nest defending behavior. Kaia lays down.

[Madli]

17.26/27 There must be another black stork around. Karl is reacting loudly, but not agressively. Kaia lays down again. Maybe it's another female around- Kaia shows that this nest is already occupied. They are clearly disturbed by someone's presence.


17.30 Mating attempt unsuccessful- Karl approaches, kaia steps away.

17.33 Mating successful (4)

[Madli]

17.51 Dancing and mating successful (5)

Resting in the evening sunshine.


18.22 Dancing, no mating.

[Madli]

19.01 Dancing, no mating.

19.55 Karl is already testing the nest it must be exactly right for his moody lady


20.15 Mating attempt unsuccessful. Karl wants to already step on Kaia's back, but she walks away.

[Madli]

20.28 Another unsuccessful approaching attempt by Karl.

We are on egg-watch now! Hopefully Kaia lays her first egg tonight



Good night!

[marika.solo]

17.26/27 There must be another black stork around. Karl is reacting loudly, but not agressively. Kaia lays down again. Maybe it's another female around- Kaia shows that this nest is already occupied. They are clearly disturbed by someone's presence. ...

very unusual situation because in EE is lack of females
(only Eedi is flying very rarely near the nest and once he visited this nest previous season for short time before Karl II arrivals)

[Madli]

17.26/27 There must be another black stork around. Karl is reacting loudly, but not agressively. Kaia lays down again. Maybe it's another female around- Kaia shows that this nest is already occupied. They are clearly disturbed by someone's presence. ...

very unusual situation because in EE is lack of females
(only Eedi is flying very rarely near the nest and once he visited this nest previous season for short time before Karl II arrivals)

Yes, it is always with these situations that we don't see what happens behind the camera and we can only guess.

I had the opinion of another female because there was a similar situation in Poland, Lodz ( Florentino and Fermina3) There was a strange female nearby, male called and female lied down to show that she is in charge there and give the stranger no opportunities.

But I'm not an expert so..

[marika.solo]

females are fighting too, in that PL nest previous year too (male in the nest too)

there is the described usual behaviour and then unique - we are never sure

[Madli]

April 17

Good morning.

No egg still...that's OK. We have time

05.10 Dancing, no mating.
05.52 Dancing, no mating.
05.58 Dancing, no mating.

[Madli]

05.59 Kaia flies away.

Karl waits for a short time, then starts working on the nest and bring in new material. he works hard with those twigs


07.01 He is finished working and now rests.


07.50 He continues to work and rest.