SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2010

WEATHER: Afternoon cloudy periods. High 27C

5:31 am
The camera is still down this morning.

1:00 pm
Camera is up.
It's quite windy and the nest rocks every once in awhile.
Mom landed to chirping chicks then she joins in the chirping and calling. Maybe all demanding that Dad bring home a fish


1:07 pm
Mom flew off and the chicks went silent but she must have made a quick U-turn and returned almost immediately
She then stopped long enough to look out and flew off again.

The wind is howling in the mic and I'm hearing metal against metal -- maybe the cabling on the camera ??
I don't think I've ever seen this nest rocking as much as it is today.
It could be making the chicks more nervous than usual.

3:01 pm
Mom arrived with a fish and stayed on the nest to feed the chicks. Can't see much of the feeding because of her location near the rim.


3:14 pm
The feeding continues and by the looks of things both chicks are getting a good meal even between peeps for more.

3:17 pm
Feeding has come to an end. One chick backs up for a poop shoot. The other stands and watches Mom finish off the fish.

5:32 pm
Another fish delivered by Mom. The chicks didn't rush at her this time but slowly made their way over to wait for a feeding.


5:35 pm
One chick seems to be getting the feeding while the smaller chick is waiting a turn.

5:37 pm
Smaller chick has now inched his way forward but not sure how much food he's being offered. He's almost under Mom's tail making it awkward for her to reach him.
From watching the body movements I think Mom is eating a fair amount of this fish herself.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010

WEATHER: Variable Cloudiness. High 23C

5:00 am
The nest and chicks are looking a bit wet from the rain.
Both have been on the rim with their heads out of view since I turned on the camera.

5:54 am
Lots of head bobbing going on as this one focuses attention on the camera. There are also a few moths flying near the camera so she could be watching them.
I'm sure this is a female by the appearance of her "necklace" feathers.
The smaller chick has the same markings but not quite as thick and dark.


Both have backed up to the rim for a poopshoot --- Good indication they've eaten but no idea when.

6:25 am
Both are looking miserably wet and the mosquitoes are swarming.
No sign of Mom or Dad yet this morning.

9:12 am
Chicks have been preening like crazy now that the rain stopped.
There are white downy baby feathers floating all over the nest and a few stuck to their beaks.

9:36 am
Mom comes screeching into the nest to a herald of peeping chicks.
By the reaction of all three it's easy to know that Dad's on his way in with a fish.

Dad lands


Mom and one chick get into a tug of war over the fish but Mom wins in the end.



9:37 am
The chicks get into a bit of a tussle with each other over who gets fed first. Oldest chick wins the battle and the other goes into submission and waits a turn behind Mom.