08:30 Start of shift. It always amazes me the changes in the chicks from week to week at this point in things. Chicks are all active.
08:50 Two decide it’s time for a nap, the other two preening at the fvar side of the box.
9:30 Three snoozing, one on watch (can’t see the ring, but it may be TC/Male, as it’s definitely smaller than the others!) for a while in case breakfast arrives before joining the line of dozing chicks.
09:59 TD goes for a walk about and stares straight into the camera!
10:08 Two upright, stretching and calling. Assume an adult is nearby.
10:25 Lots of calling and looking around from the chicks.
10:50 All four up and stretching their wings.
11.00:- The transition towards fledgling is becoming very clear as more of their down falls away to revel their new flying gear!
11.10:- Very hungry kids calling to mum and dad to come with the grub
11.14:- At last the food arrives!
The size and strength of the youngsters is apparent as they compete to be fed first and most and drive the adult into a corner
11.45:- A very intensive and comprehensive feeding comes to an end with the adult departing
Fully recharged the youngsters hunker down for a digest and a nap
13.00, just taken over from Richard, with all juveniles fast asleep.
13.15, TC asleep in corner,? Looking up at the spire.
13.21, TC having a nice afternoon preen.
13.31, look out below
13.40, anyone for doubles
13.51, TC trying to push one of his sisters out of the way, for some remaining food.
13.53, juveniles getting fidgety.
14.02, TD strengthening her wings, whacking poor TB in the process.
14.40, TB getting some exercise.
14.47, TC found a spare leg to munch on!
15.00, handing over to Eileen, with TC munching on that leg.
15.00 TC is trying to glean some meat from a foot and ringed leg, pulling skilfully and repeatedly at the sinews. All the other chicks are asleep.
15.02 TC settles down to rest with the other chicks.
15.06 TB wakes up and starts to pull at the sinews from the same discarded ringed leg
15.12. Another female chick nearest to the camera wakes and stands up to defecate over the side of the platform. I managed to capture this on a screenshot as it squirted over the side and through the air!
15.22. The chicks are all huddled together resting on the far side of the platform
15.28. Three chicks are awake and alert and keenly tracking any movements
15.33. TC looking up and calling.
15.35. TC calling loudly again. He seems particularly alert and vocal. Four chicks now looking up towards the spire and calling loudly and looking hopeful!
15.40. All chicks now awake and standing up and preening and yet more down flies away on the breeze
15.49. Two chicks come close to the camera and defecate over the side of the platform
15.53. Two chicks take a turn to exercise their wings vigorously.
15.55. TC stands on the top of the platform edge near the camera and exercises his wings
15.58. All chicks very alert and looking out over the sides of the platform
16.00. Three chicks preening
16.10. All chicks alert and watching constantly. TC looks particularly skilled and keen
16.21. Three chicks settled down to sleep. TC remains awake and alert
16.26. TC is dozing standing up. All the other chicks are lying down
16.37. TC finally lies down to sleep
17.00. All chicks are asleep.
Thank you to today’s volunteers; Keith Gerrard, Richard Edwards, Graham Long and Eileen Wyatt.