Update for Thursday, May 2, 2024
Today, Astrid oversaw numerous feeding sessions with the two hatchlings. However, uncertainty still lingers regarding whether a third egg will hatch. Our current understanding suggests that the hatched eggs were numbers 2 and 3 in the laying sequence, implying that the first-laid egg, number 1, may be infertile. If the potentially pipped egg is indeed the fourth laid, there remains a chance of it being fertile, with several days remaining in its hatch window. At dawn, Ares brought a Black-billed Cuckoo to the nest. True to her nature, Astrid showed no interest in the offering, as she has never favored cuckoos. As a matter of fact they rank among her top three least favorite prey items, alongside Woodcocks and Bats. The presence of the cuckoo was surprising, considering they usually arrive later in May. Later in the afternoon, during a feeding session, Ares provided shade for the chicks and eggs while Astrid conducted a feeding. This showcased an excellent demonstration of cooperative chick rearing.
