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

[marika.solo]

very big yawning

[marika.solo]

nice wings flapping and already jumps

[marika.solo]

14h camera time - still no feeding and it is raining

[marika.solo]

- feeding - Kergu - two big fish

14:25:26 begging display
14:25:24 Kergu landing from right
regurgitating 2 + 1 fish (the 2nd really big and our storklet snatched the 3rd fish from the bill)
14:26:40 Kergu departure to the right
(storklet chirping to 14:31:50)

[marika.solo]

feeding by Kerli

17:00 begging display - who is there?
17:07:07 Kerli (?) to the favourite branch - 17:07:15 jump to the nest
feeding - 2 not big portions of frogs
17:07:38 departure

[marika.solo]

[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.