Karula National Park 2/ Must toonekurg 4

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]

strong wind gust and the dry tree is fallen near the nest

Bonus first (memories?)

[marika.solo]

next tree/branch somewhere very nearby

[marika.solo]

and stand up


waiting on the siblings and/or on the food delivery

[marika.solo]

14:26:44 Bonus is back on the nest

continuation
15:10:25 - 7202 lands
16:41:11 - 7203 hoped down from above

[marika.solo]

"... The Karula nestlings have also found a fish basket and they probably want to equip Bonus with a GPS tracker there. ..."

[marika.solo]

one chick is on the branch above the nest (only legs are visible) - it is 7203

it is raining there too

[marika.solo]

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August 11
Hello everyone

CHICK
- 1st chick: 80 days old (hatched in the night 21./22.05)
- 2nd chick: 80 days old (hatched in the night 21./22.05)
- 3rd chick: 79 days old (hatched on 23. 05)
- 4th: on 24. 05; brood reduction by female on 28.05 - 4 days old

- one chick, Bonus 2, adopted on 18.06

MAIDEN FLIGHT
- on 26.07 at - 7203
- on 27.07 at - 7201
- on 29.07 at - 7202
- on 01.08 at - 710L / Bonus

Maiden Flights & Chick Age:
26 July: 1st chick (7203) – 65–66 days old
27 July: 2nd chick (7201)– 66–67 days old
29 July: 3rd chick (7202) - 67 days old

Note on fledging age: The chicks became fully flight-capable slightly earlier than the standard Baltic reference range (68–72 days). This earlier maiden flight (at 65–66 days) was primarily facilitated in my opinion by an abundant and consistent food supply throughout their development, promoting optimal feather growth and physical condition.

Leg Ring Identification:
Three of the chicks carry rings 7201, 7202, and 7203, while the adopted/foster chick (referred to as "Bonus") carries the distinct ring 710L.

1/ By tracking 35 chicks with transmitters, Polish researchers found that these young birds permanently left their nests at an average of 87 days of age, with a maximum of 108 days. Before their definitive departure for migration, the fledglings initially fly within an average distance of up to 200 meters, and as they get older, this distance increases to an average of up to 500 meters.(Dr. Anderwald)

2/ Survival rates are higher for chicks that spend more time at the nest after fledging, as they return to the nest and gradually gain independence while still receiving food from their parents. For another 2 to 4 weeks after becoming able to fly, they will return to the nest to rest or spend the night. (Dr. Strazds)

3/ Fledglings learn to search for foraging sites and acquire food on their own only after their definitive departure from the nest (migration). (prof. Zieliński)

[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 11/08/2026 (in the evening - whole day)
Log compiled from chat observations and structured with the assistance of Gemini AI.

Events Timeline
data mostly by user Natalia / @Наталья-б9с7й

Night / Early Morning
05:32 Fledgling 7203 returned to the nest from a branch after remaining perched there overnight.
05:33 Parent stork arrived and feeds the chicks with fish.
05:51 Fledgling 710L moved to the right branch.

Morning / Forenoon
06:12 Fledgling 7201 departed into the forest; 710L returned to the nest.
06:15 Fledgling 7203 jumped onto a branch.
06:18 Fledglings 710L, 7203, and 7202 departed the nest area in sequence.

06:20 Fledgling 710L returned to the nest.
06:42 Fledglings 7201, 7202, and 7203 returned to the nest.
07:32 Fledgling 710L flew off into the forest.

07:43 Fledglings 7202 and 7201 departed into the forest; 7202 returned shortly after.
07:46 Fledgling 7202 departed again.
07:49 Fledgling 710L landed on an adjacent branch.
08:09 Fledglings 7201 and 7202 returned to the nest.

08:47 Fledgling 710L flew off from the branch into the forest.
09:01 Fledglings 7202, 7203, and 7201 departed; the nest remained empty.

09:38 Fledgling 7202 returned briefly and departed again at 09:41.
09:59 Fledgling 7203 returned, followed by 710L, 7201, and 7202 by 10:01.
11:01 Parent stork arrived from the left side and feeds the chicks.

11:32 Fledgling 710L flew into the forest.

Afternoon / Evening
12:10 Fledgling 7203 jumped onto a branch; 710L flew into the nest.
12:11 Fledgling 7203 returned from the branch to the nest.

12:19 Fledgling 7203 departed the nest.
12:21 Fledgling 710L departed into the forest.
12:22 Fledgling 7201 departed into the forest.
12:34 Fledgling 710L returned to the nest.
12:40 Fledgling 7201 returned to the nest.
12:51 Fledgling 7203 returned to the nest.

12:53 Fledgling 710L moved onto a branch and flew to a neighbouring tree at 13:04.
13:11 Fledgling 7201 flew into the forest.
13:21 Fledgling 710L flew down from the tree into the forest.
13:28 Fledgling 7201 returned; parent stork arrived and feeds the chicks. Fledgling 710L returned immediately after feeding.
14:08 Parent stork arrived and feeds the chicks.
15:19 Parent stork arrived and feeds the chicks.
17:31 Parent stork arrived and feeds the chicks.
17:52 Fledgling 710L moved to the right branch.
17:56 Fledgling 710L returned to the nest.
17:57 Parent stork arrived and feeds the chicks.
19:44 Hail reported in the nest area.
20:19 Fledgling 7203 jumped onto a branch.

Summary Highlights:
- Seven parental feedings occurred throughout the day (at 05:33, 11:01, 13:28, 14:08, 15:19, 17:31, and 17:57).
- All four fledglings (710L, 7201, 7202, 7203) actively exercised, perched on adjacent branches, and undertook short flights into the forest.
- Strong wind gusts and brief hail recorded during the afternoon and evening periods.

[marika.solo]

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August 12
Hello everyone

CHICK
- 1st chick: 81 days old (hatched in the night 21./22.05)
- 2nd chick: 81 days old (hatched in the night 21./22.05)
- 3rd chick: 80 days old (hatched on 23. 05)
- 4th: on 24. 05; brood reduction by female on 28.05 - 4 days old

- one chick, Bonus 2, adopted on 18.06

MAIDEN FLIGHT
- on 26.07 at - 7203
- on 27.07 at - 7201
- on 29.07 at - 7202
- on 01.08 at - 710L / Bonus

Maiden Flights & Chick Age:
26 July: 1st chick (7203) – 65–66 days old
27 July: 2nd chick (7201)– 66–67 days old
29 July: 3rd chick (7202) - 67 days old

Note on fledging age: The chicks became fully flight-capable slightly earlier than the standard Baltic reference range (68–72 days). This earlier maiden flight (at 65–66 days) was primarily facilitated in my opinion by an abundant and consistent food supply throughout their development, promoting optimal feather growth and physical condition.

Leg Ring Identification:
Three of the chicks carry rings 7201, 7202, and 7203, while the adopted/foster chick (referred to as "Bonus") carries the distinct ring 710L.

1/ By tracking 35 chicks with transmitters, Polish researchers found that these young birds permanently left their nests at an average of 87 days of age, with a maximum of 108 days. Before their definitive departure for migration, the fledglings initially fly within an average distance of up to 200 meters, and as they get older, this distance increases to an average of up to 500 meters.(Dr. Anderwald)

2/ Survival rates are higher for chicks that spend more time at the nest after fledging, as they return to the nest and gradually gain independence while still receiving food from their parents. For another 2 to 4 weeks after becoming able to fly, they will return to the nest to rest or spend the night. (Dr. Strazds)

3/ Fledglings learn to search for foraging sites and acquire food on their own only after their definitive departure from the nest (migration). (prof. Zieliński)