Karula National Park 2/ Must toonekurg 4

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]

previous post (18.08) viewtopic.php?p=63977#p63977
next post (20.08)

August 19
Hello everyone

CHICK
- 1st chick: 88 days old (hatched in the night 21./22.05)
- 2nd chick: 88 days old (hatched in the night 21./22.05)
- 3rd chick: 86 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

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 12/08/2026 (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

Morning / Forenoon
* 09:01:54 – Chick 7201 arrived in the nest for a brief visit lasting a few minutes.
* 09:20:15 – Chick 7202 arrived in the nest.
* 10:45 – Bird sounds heard from adjacent branches.

Afternoon / Evening
* 15:44:58 – Chick 7202 departed from the nest.
* 16:10 – Camera feed temporarily disconnected. - 16:31 – Camera feed resumed functioning.
* 16:49:15 – Chick 7202 returned to the nest.
* 17:09 – Chick 7202 resting in the nest.
* 17:58:46 – Chick 7202 defecated in the nest bowl and departed.
* 20:34 – Chick 7202 returned to the nest.

Summary Highlights
* No adult feedings recorded during the day.
* Fledglings (7201 and 7202) visited the nest independently throughout the day and are utilising the artificial feeding site (fish basket).
* Confirmation received that chick 710L (Bonus) was fitted with a GPS transmitter at the feeding site in the morning.

[marika.solo]

This morning 710L (Bonus2) get GPS transmitter at the feeding site.

[marika.solo]

14:49
Team on the way to Kergu nest collect Tibu.

17:11
BS Chick is in hand and on its way to Karula. It was able to fly 100m. Karulas Urmas would try to feed it in the same place with the already flying Karula BS chicks until Tibu decides to migrate. It is not possible to feed Tibu at the BS Kergu nest.

22:42
But so much so that Tibu was released near the fish basket near Karula's nest and has already eaten frozen fish placed near the BS statue. The fish basket is also nearby, as well as one of Karula's young birds and a heron. At the moment he is being monitored in a shelter at a distance.

Bonus 2 or 710L was named Lembe by Urmas, and he goes on the migration map with that name. He flew to Latvia yesterday after being released. I don't know if he is with the other 2 BS chicks.

[marika.solo]

August 21
Hello everyone

So far, BS TIBU is near the Karula fish basket. Yesterday, he was able to fly almost 500m from the nearby stream back to the feeding place when the car came. He basically spent the night in the beaver swamp and only ate frozen fish on the ground near BS's statue. At the moment, he doesn't tend to socialise with others there at the fish basket, and the heron is also taking over there.
At 19.27 in the today evening, Tibu was approx. 250m N from the feeding place in a swampy place. Today Tibu has also made one flight of at least 500m or more according to the GPS tracker data.

BS 7202 from Karula's nest continues to visit the fish basket:

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]

storklet pooped later too and very good

[marika.solo]