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

[marika.solo]

For our storklet (the late-hatched chick now 55 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 08/08/2026 (in the evening - whole day)
Log compiled from chat observations and structured with the assistance of Gemini AI.

Events Timeline

[marika.solo]

it is raining and raining

[marika.solo]

Urmas:

" ..... There is plan to track Kergu-Kerli chick, therefore no ringing before ..... ."

Kerli today

[marika.solo]

13:58 feeding by KERGU

13:57:53 begging display
13:57:59 Kergu landing
feeding: 3 little (?) portions (maybe frogs too)
13:58:30 Kergu to the branch (near the "lookout")
13:58:47 Kergu away

[marika.solo]

welcome dad!



the 1st portion



the 3rd portion

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]

20:11 feeding by KERLI

20:10:40 begging display
20:10:47 Kerli landing on the favourite branch
20:11:20 to the nest
feeding: big portion of something
20:11:42 Kerli away (to the right) - 20:15:00 departure and chirping ends

[marika.solo]

Kerli to her favourite branch



Kerli to the nest



Kerli regurgitated the food for her chick

[marika.solo]

one portion of something





departure (Kerli in my opinion is flying away)